Folding system and folding processing method

Abstract

To provide a splitting and cutting system smoothly and reliably splitting and cutting the edge part of a glass plate to be machined in a splitting and cutting machining.SOLUTION: A splitting and cutting system 10a comprises the following process:a splitting and cutting cutter wheel is raised by a holder elevation mechanism after the splitting and cutting cutter wheel lowered in a vertical direction by the holder elevation mechanism (first elevation mechanism) forms an end cutting line on the edge part of the glass plate; a first pressing force member is lowered by a first pressing force member elevation mechanism (second elevation mechanism); the first pressing force member and first and second support members sandwich the body part and the edge part of the glass plate therebetween; the second support member is lowered by a second support member elevation mechanism (fourth elevation mechanism) after the first pressing force member and the first and second support members sandwich the body part and the edge part of the glass plate therebetween; a second pressing force member is lowered by a second pressing force member elevation mechanism (third elevation mechanism) while maintaining the body part of the glass plate to be sandwiched between the first pressing force member and the first support member; the edge part of the glass plate extending to the outside of an outer shape cutting line is pressed downward; and the edge part is split and cut.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a breaking system for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed, such as a glass plate for automobile windows or a glass plate for liquid crystals, and also relates to a breaking method for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

Background Art

[0002] There is disclosed a glass plate processing system formed of a loading conveyor for loading a glass plate, a notch processing area located in front of the loading conveyor, a breaking processing area located in front of the notch processing area, a grinding processing area located in front of the breaking processing area, an unloading conveyor located in front of the grinding processing area, and a conveying mechanism for conveying the glass plate from the loading conveyor to each processing area (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The notch processing area of this glass plate processing system has a notch processing table having a first moving mechanism that moves in the width direction in a state where the positioned glass plate is placed, and a notch device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the notch processing area, after the notch device moves rearward in the front-rear direction toward the outer side in the width direction of the edge of the glass plate placed on the notch processing table, the notch processing table moves in the width direction toward the notch device by the first moving mechanism, and an outer shape cutting line is formed on the glass plate placed on the notch processing table using the notch device. The breaking processing area has a breaking processing table for placing the positioned glass plate after notch processing, and a breaking device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the breaking processing area, after the breaking device moves rearward in the front-rear direction toward the breaking processing table, an end cutting line (scribe) is formed on the edge of the glass plate placed on the breaking processing table using the breaking device, and the edge of the glass plate is broken.

[0004] The grinding area includes a grinding table with a second movement mechanism that moves in the width direction with the positioned main body of the glass plate, after the folding and cutting process, placed on it, and a grinding device that can move in the front-rear direction. In the grinding area, the grinding device moves in the front-rear direction backward in the width direction toward the edge of the main body of the glass plate placed on the grinding table, and then the grinding table moves in the width direction toward the grinding device by the second movement mechanism, and the edge of the main body of the glass plate placed on the grinding table is ground using the grinding device. Note that the cutting and grinding processes are performed synchronously. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-040877 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The glass plate processing system folding device 140 disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in Figure 32, is formed from a folding jig 141, a first lifting mechanism 142 (air cylinder), a pressing roller 143, and a second lifting mechanism 144 (air cylinder). The folding jig 141 is formed from a folding cutter wheel 145 that forms a scribe line on the edge of the glass plate, and a folding cutter holder 146 that is located above the folding cutter wheel 145 and supports the folding cutter wheel 145. The folding cutter holder 146 has a holder body with a connecting part and a holder head attached to the tip of the holder body. The folding cutter holder 146 rotates around the cutter holder's central axis, which extends vertically, by the rotation of a θ-axis servo motor 147. Although not shown in the figures, a support device that supports the lower surface of the glass plate is arranged on the side of the lower surface of the glass plate. The support device comprises a first support member having a circular first support surface, and a second support member extending around the first support member and having an annular second support surface.

[0007] The folding and cutting process in the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is as follows: The folding and cutting jig 141 and the pressing roller 143 of the folding and cutting device 140 move in the front-rear direction (X direction) and the width direction (Y direction) by X-axis actuators and Y-axis actuators, the folding and cutting cutter wheel 145 of the folding and cutting jig 141 is located near the outside of the outer edge of the cutting line of the glass plate, and the pressing roller 143 is located on the outer edge of the cutting line of the glass plate. Furthermore, a support device is located directly below the folding and cutting device 140, sandwiching the glass plate. Next, the first lifting mechanism 147 lowers the folding jig 141 toward the upper surface of the glass plate, causing the folding cutter wheel 145 to contact the upper surface of the glass plate. After the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 becomes the same as the movement direction of the folding jig 141, the folding device 140 moves toward the edge of the glass plate, thereby forming a cut line on the edge of the glass plate by the folding cutter wheel 145.

[0008] After forming a cut line on the edge of the glass plate, the folding jig 141 of the folding device 140 moves to a predetermined position on the edge of the glass plate, and the first and second support members of the support device rise vertically so that the first and second support surfaces contact the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate, straddling the outer cut line. Next, the second support member of the support device descends vertically, and the second lifting mechanism 144 causes the pressing roller 143 to descend toward the upper surface of the glass plate. The pressing roller 143, now in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate, presses the edge of the glass plate downward, thereby folding the edge of the glass plate away from the main body. In the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the pressing roller 143 presses the edge of the glass plate downward, the edge of the glass plate extending near the outer shape cutting line and the edge cutting line elastically deforms and the edge curves upward, making it impossible to break the edge of the glass plate at the outer shape cutting line and the edge cutting line, and thus the edge of the glass plate cannot be broken smoothly and reliably.

[0009] Furthermore, in the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the folding cutter holder 146 rotates around the central axis of the cutter holder (θ direction) as the θ-axis servo motor 147 rotates, and the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 changes to the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends at the edge of the glass plate (the direction of movement of the folding jig 126). In the folding process in the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotation of the θ-axis servo motor 147 changes the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 to the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends at the edge of the glass plate. However, the glass plate processing system must be equipped with a θ-axis servo motor 147 and a transmission member (pulley, belt, etc.) that transmits its rotational force to the folding cutter holder 146, making it impossible to miniaturize, save energy, or reduce costs for the system. Furthermore, in the folding process, the θ-axis servo motor 147 must be rotated to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 the same as the direction in which the virtual edge cut line extends at the edge of the glass plate. This requires changing the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 145 using the θ-axis servo motor 147 each time an edge cut line is formed, making it impossible to shorten the time and improve the efficiency of the folding process.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a glass cutting system and a glass cutting method that can smoothly and reliably cut the edges of a glass plate to be processed during the glass cutting process. The object of the present invention is to provide a glass cutting system and a glass cutting method that can easily change the direction of rotation of the glass cutting cutter wheel in the glass cutting process to the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends at the edge of the glass plate (the direction of movement of the glass cutting device) without using a θ-axis servo motor or transmission members (pulleys, belts, etc.), thereby enabling miniaturization, energy saving, and cost reduction. Another object of the present invention is to provide a glass cutting system and a glass cutting method that can shorten the time and improve the efficiency of the glass cutting process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The first premise of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a folding and splitting system for folding and splitting the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

[0012] The features of the glass plate cutting system in the first premise described above are that the glass plate cutting system comprises a glass plate cutting device located on the upper surface side of the glass plate for cutting the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower surface side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate, wherein the glass plate cutting device comprises a glass plate cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member that presses the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line downward, a second pressing member that presses the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line downward, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the glass plate cutting cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first pressing member in the vertical direction, and a third lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and the support device comprises a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second support member in the vertical direction. The folding system includes: a cutter wheel raising means which raises the folding cutter wheel vertically after it has been lowered vertically by a first lifting mechanism to form an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate; a glass plate clamping means which lowers the first pressing member vertically by a second lifting mechanism so that the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; a second support member lowering means which lowers the second support member vertically by a fourth lifting mechanism after the first pressing member and the first and second support members have clamped the main body and edge of the glass plate by the glass plate clamping means; and an edge folding means which maintains the clamping of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member so that the second pressing member lowers vertically by a third lifting mechanism to press downwards the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line and fold the edge.

[0013] As an example of the folding system of the present invention, a second pressing member is located near the outside of the folding cutter wheel and extends in the direction circumferential to the folding cutter wheel, and a first pressing member is located near the outside of the second pressing member and extends in the direction circumferential to the second pressing member. In the glass plate clamping means, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism, the first pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. In the edge folding means, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the second pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0014] Another example of the glass cutting system of the present invention is a first pressing member having a first pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, a second pressing member having a second pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing surface of the second pressing member being formed into an annular shape surrounding the glass cutting cutter wheel, the first pressing surface of the first pressing member being formed into a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member, and the glass plate clamping means having a second lifting mechanism When the first pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the semi-circular first pressing surface contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. In the edge breaking means, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the annular second pressing surface contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0015] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a second support member located near the outside of the first support member and extending circumferentially around the first support member, wherein in the glass plate clamping means, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0016] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a second support member having a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member being formed into an annular shape that surrounds the first support member, and in the glass plate clamping means, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0017] Another example of the folding system of the present invention is a first support member having a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member being formed into a circular shape, and in the glass plate clamping means, the circularly formed first support surface supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutting line.

[0018] As another example of the glass plate folding system of the present invention, the glass plate folding system includes a folding device moving means for the folding device to move horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, and a support device moving means for the support device to move horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, and after the folding device and the support device move in synchronization by the folding device moving means and the support device moving means, the folding device and the support device work together to perform glass plate clamping means and edge folding means.

[0019] As another example of the folding system of the present invention, the folding system includes edge cutting means in which a folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of a glass plate, with the folding device and the support device moving synchronously, and the first and second support members supporting the lower surface of the edge portion extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate.

[0020] Another example of the glass cutting system of the present invention is a glass cutting device which includes a glass cutting cutter holder positioned above the glass cutting cutter wheel and holding the glass cutting cutter wheel, wherein the cutter wheel axis extending vertically of the glass cutting cutter wheel is radially outward eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis extending vertically of the glass cutting cutter holder, the glass cutting cutter wheel is rotatable 360° around the cutter wheel axis relative to the glass cutting cutter holder, and the glass cutting system includes means for changing the rolling direction to make the rolling direction of the glass cutting cutter wheel the same as the rolling direction of the glass cutting device, by moving the glass cutting device slightly on the upper surface parallel to the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate in a predetermined direction, and rotating the glass cutting cutter wheel in contact with the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate around the cutter wheel axis.

[0021] As another example of the folding system of the present invention, in the edge cutting line forming means, the folding device is moved slightly in a predetermined direction by the rolling direction changing means so that the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel is the same as the direction of travel of the folding device. Then, as the folding device moves in the predetermined direction, the folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of the glass plate along the direction of travel of the folding device.

[0022] A second premise of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a method for breaking the edge of a glass plate to be processed.

[0023] The features of the glass cutting method of the present invention in the second premise described above are that the glass cutting method utilizes a glass cutting device located on the upper side of the glass plate for cutting the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate, wherein the glass cutting device includes a glass cutting cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member that presses the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line downward, a second pressing member that presses the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line downward, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the glass cutting cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first pressing member in the vertical direction, and a third lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and the support device includes a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second support member in the vertical direction. The folding and cutting method comprises: a cutter wheel raising step in which the folding cutter wheel, which has been lowered vertically by a first lifting mechanism, forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, and then the folding cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism; a glass plate clamping step in which the first pressing member is lowered vertically by a second lifting mechanism so that the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; a second support member lowering step in which the second support member is lowered vertically by a fourth lifting mechanism after the first pressing member and the first and second support members have clamped the main body and edge of the glass plate in the glass plate clamping step; and an edge folding and cutting step in which, while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member, the second pressing member is lowered vertically by a third lifting mechanism so that the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line is pressed downward and the edge is folded and cut.

[0024] As an example of the method for splitting and cutting of the present invention, the second pressing member is located near the outside of the splitting cutter wheel and extends in the circumferential direction of the splitting cutter wheel, the first pressing member is located near the outside of the second pressing member and extends in the circumferential direction of the second pressing member. In the glass plate clamping means, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second elevating mechanism, the first pressing member abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line across the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. In the edge splitting process, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third elevating mechanism, the second pressing member abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0025] As another example of the method for splitting and cutting of the present invention, the first pressing member has a first pressing surface with a predetermined area that abuts against the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing member has a second pressing surface with a predetermined area that abuts against the upper surface of the glass plate. The second pressing surface of the second pressing member is formed in an annular shape surrounding the splitting cutter wheel, the first pressing surface of the first pressing member is formed in a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member. In the glass plate clamping process, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second elevating mechanism, the semi-annularly formed first pressing surface abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line across the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. In the edge splitting process, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third elevating mechanism, the annularly formed second pressing surface abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0026] As another example of the method for splitting and cutting of the present invention, the second supporting member is located near the outside of the first supporting member and extends in the circumferential direction of the first supporting member. In the glass plate clamping process, when the second supporting member is raised by the fourth elevating mechanism, the second supporting member supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line across the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0027] As another example of the breaking process method of the present invention, the second support member has a second support surface with a predetermined area for supporting the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape surrounding the first support member, and in the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is lifted by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support surface formed in an annular shape supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line across the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0028] As another example of the breaking process method of the present invention, the first support member has a first support surface with a predetermined area for supporting the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed in a perfect circular shape, and in the glass plate clamping step, the first support surface formed in a perfect circular shape supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate where the outer peripheral edge vicinity of the first support surface extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

[0029] As another example of the breaking process method of the present invention, the breaking process method includes a cutting device moving step in which the cutting device moves horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate after the cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are lifted by the first to third lifting mechanisms, and a support device moving step in which the support device moves horizontally in synchronization with the cutting device on the lower surface side of the glass plate. After the cutting device and the support device move synchronously by the cutting device moving step and the support device moving step, the cutting device and the support device cooperate to perform the glass plate clamping step and the edge cutting step.

[0030] As another example of the breaking process method of the present invention, the breaking process method includes an end cutting line forming step in which the cutting cutter wheel forms an end cutting line on the edge of the glass plate while the cutting device and the support device move synchronously and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate.

[0031] Another example of the glass cutting method of the present invention is a glass cutting device which includes a glass cutting cutter holder positioned above a glass cutting cutter wheel and holding the glass cutting cutter wheel, wherein the cutter wheel axis extending vertically of the glass cutting cutter wheel is radially outward eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis extending vertically of the glass cutting cutter holder, and the glass cutting cutter wheel is rotatable 360° around the cutter wheel axis relative to the glass cutting cutter holder, and the glass cutting method includes a step of changing the rolling direction by moving the glass cutting device slightly on the upper surface parallel to the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate in a predetermined direction, rotating the glass cutting cutter wheel in contact with the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate around the cutter wheel axis, and making the rolling direction of the glass cutting cutter wheel the same as the traveling direction of the glass cutting device.

[0032] As another example of the folding method of the present invention, in the edge cutting line formation step, the folding device is moved slightly in a predetermined direction by the rolling direction changing step so that the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel is the same as the direction of travel of the folding device. Then, as the folding device moves in the predetermined direction, the folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of the glass plate along the direction of travel of the folding device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0033] According to the folding system and folding method of the present invention, the folding cutter wheel, which has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism, forms a cut line on the edge of the glass plate. After the cut line is formed on the edge of the glass plate, the folding cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism, and the first pressing member is lowered vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate. After the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge, the second support member is lowered vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism, maintaining the clamping of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member, while the second pressing member is lowered vertically by the third lifting mechanism. The first pressing member and the first support member press downwards on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line, causing the edge to break. As a result, the main body of the glass plate is sandwiched between the first pressing member and the first support member, and the main body of the glass plate is fixed between the first pressing member and the first support member. Therefore, even if the second pressing member presses downwards on the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer cut line and the pressing force of the second pressing member acts on the edge, elastic deformation of the main body and edge of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be prevented. The main body and edge will not bend upwards, and the edge of the glass plate will break at the outer cut line and edge cut line due to the pressing force of the second pressing member, allowing the edge of the glass plate to break smoothly and reliably.

[0034] A folding system and folding method wherein the second pressing member is located near the outside of the folding cutter wheel and extends in the direction circumferential to the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing member is located near the outside of the second pressing member and extends in the direction circumferential to the second pressing member, and when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism, the first pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the second pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line. When the first pressing member and first support member contact the upper surface and press the edge downward, the main body of the glass plate is sandwiched between the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and the main body of the glass plate is fixed by the first pressing member and first support member. As a result, elastic deformation of the main body and edge of the glass plate extending near the outer shape cutting line can be prevented, and the edge of the glass plate breaks at the outer shape cutting line and edge cutting line by the pressing force of the second pressing member without the main body and edge bending upward, allowing the edge of the glass plate to break smoothly and reliably.

[0035] A folding system and folding method comprising: a first pressing member having a first pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of a glass plate; a second pressing member having a second pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of a glass plate; the second pressing surface of the second pressing member being formed into an annular shape surrounding the folding cutter wheel; the first pressing surface of the first pressing member being formed into a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member; when the first pressing member is lowered by a second lifting mechanism, the semi-annular first pressing surface contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line; and when the second pressing member is lowered by a third lifting mechanism, the annular second pressing surface contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line. When the annular second pressing surface of the member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cut line and presses the edge downward, the main body of the glass plate is sandwiched between the semi-annular first pressing surface of the first pressing member and the first support member, which contact the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cut line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cut line. As a result, the main body of the glass plate is fixed by the first pressing surface of the first pressing member and the first support member, which prevents elastic deformation of the main body and edge of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line. The main body and edge of the glass plate break at the outer cut line and edge cut line by the pressing force of the second pressing member without the main body and edge bending upward, and the edge of the glass plate can be broken smoothly and reliably. In the folding system and folding method, since the first pressing surface of the first pressing member is formed in a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member, when the second pressing member is positioned on the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutting line, a part of the first pressing surface of the first pressing member is always positioned on the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutting line. The semi-annular first pressing surface of the first pressing member and the first support member can securely clamp the main body of the glass plate, and the first pressing surface of the first pressing member and the first support member can firmly fix the main body of the glass plate.

[0036] A folding system and folding method wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the direction circumferentially around the first support member, and when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that crosses the outer shape cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, wherein the second support member extending in the direction circumferentially around the first support member supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that crosses the outer shape cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and By supporting the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, when the first pressing member presses the main body and edge of the glass plate downward, the downward curving of the edge of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer cutout line and the main body of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer cutout line, which are supported by the second support member, can be prevented. This prevents accidental cracking or damage to the main body and edge of the glass plate when the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp them together.

[0037] The folding system and folding method wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member, and when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line. By supporting the lower surface of the extending edge of the glass plate and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutout line, when the first pressing member presses the main body and edge of the glass plate downward, the downward curving of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer cutout line and the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutout line, which are supported by the second support surface of the second support member, can be prevented. This prevents accidental cracking or damage to the main body and edge of the glass plate when the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp them together.

[0038] A folding system and folding method wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of a glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed into a circular shape, the circularly formed first support surface supports the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer cutting line, wherein the circularly formed first support surface of a predetermined area supports the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer cutting line By supporting the lower surface of the edge of the lath plate, the main body of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be securely clamped between the first pressing member and the first support surface of the first support member, and since the main body extending near the outer cut line is fixed by the first pressing member and the first support surface of the first support member, elastic deformation of the main body of the glass plate extending near the outer cut line can be prevented, and the edge of the glass plate can be broken at the outer cut line and edge cut line by the pressing force of the second pressing member without the main body and edge bending upward, thus the edge of the glass plate can be broken smoothly and reliably.

[0039] In the glass cutting system and cutting method, after the first to third lifting mechanisms raise the cutting cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members, the cutting device moves horizontally on the upper side of the glass plate, the support device moves horizontally in sync with the cutting device on the lower side of the glass plate, and after the cutting device and the support device move in sync, the cutting device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process) and the edge cutting means (edge ​​cutting process). After the cutting device and the support device move horizontally in sync to form multiple edge cutting lines on the edge of the glass plate, the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting mechanism while maintaining the clamping of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member, pressing downwards the edge extending outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, and cutting the edge, all of the edge extending around the perimeter of the glass plate can be cut smoothly and reliably.

[0040] In a glass cutting system and cutting method in which a cutting device and a support device move in synchronously, and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate, the cutting cutter wheel forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate. This prevents elastic deformation of the edge by supporting the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate with the first and second support members, and ensures that an edge cut line is reliably formed on the edge of the glass plate while holding the edge of the glass plate horizontally.

[0041] A splitting system and splitting method, which includes a splitting cutter holder positioned above the splitting cutter wheel and holding the splitting cutter wheel, wherein the cutter wheel axis extending vertically of the splitting cutter wheel is radially outward eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis extending vertically of the splitting cutter holder, and the splitting cutter wheel is rotatable 360° around the cutter wheel axis relative to the splitting cutter holder, allows the splitting cutter wheel to rotate around its cutter wheel axis (around the axis) simply by the splitting jig moving slightly in a predetermined direction, thereby quickly and easily changing the direction of rotation of the splitting cutter wheel. The folding system and folding method work by having the folding device travel slightly along the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate in a predetermined direction, parallel to the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate. This causes the folding cutter wheel, which contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate, to rotate around the cutter wheel axis, and the direction of rotation of the folding cutter wheel becomes the same as the direction of travel (movement) of the folding device. As a result, the direction of rotation of the folding cutter wheel can be easily made to match the direction of travel of the folding device (the direction in which the virtual edge cut line of the edge of the glass plate extends). Therefore, in the initial movement of the series of movements for forming the edge cut line at the edge of the glass plate, the direction of rotation of the folding cutter wheel and the direction of travel of the folding device can be made the same. The folding system and folding method do not require the installation of a θ-axis servo motor or a transmission member (pulley, belt, etc.) to transmit its rotational force to the folding cutter holder, thus enabling miniaturization, energy saving, and cost reduction of the folding device. Furthermore, in the folding process, it is not necessary to rotate the θ-axis servo motor to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel the same as the direction in which the virtual edge cut line extends on the edge of the glass plate (the direction in which the folding device travels), nor is it necessary to change the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel using the θ-axis servo motor each time an edge cut line is formed. Therefore, the folding process can be shortened and made more efficient.

[0042] A glass cutting system and method, which involves moving the cutting device slightly in a predetermined direction to align the rolling direction of the cutting cutter wheel with the direction of travel of the cutting device, and then moving the cutting device in the predetermined direction so that the cutting cutter wheel forms an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate along the direction of travel of the cutting device, can ensure that the rolling direction of the cutting cutter wheel is aligned with the direction of travel of the cutting device by bringing the cutting cutter holder into contact with the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate using the first lifting mechanism, and then moving the cutting device slightly in a predetermined direction, thereby ensuring that the rolling direction of the cutting cutter wheel is aligned with the direction of travel of the cutting device (the direction in which the virtual edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate extends). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0043] [Figure 1] Side view of a glass sheet processing system employing a folding and splitting system. [Figure 2] Top view of a glass plate processing system using a folding and splitting device. [Figure 3] A top view showing an example of a glass plate to be processed by a glass plate processing system. [Figure 4] Side view of the delivery area. [Figure 5] Top view of the delivery area. [Figure 6] Front view of the loading area. [Figure 7] Top view of the cutting table and grinding table. [Figure 8] Side view of the cutting table and grinding table. [Figure 9] A diagram illustrating the movement of the cutting table and the grinding table. [Figure 10] A side view of a cutting device, shown as an example, installed in the cutting area. [Figure 11] Front view of the cutting device. [Figure 12] Top view of the cutting device. [Figure 13] Top view of the folding / splitting table. [Figure 14] Side view of the folding / splitting table. [Figure 15] Side view of the folding device. [Figure 16] Front view of the folding device. [Figure 17] Top view of the folding device. [Figure 18] Enlarged front view of the folding / splitting device. [Figure 19] Enlarged front view of the folding / splitting device. [Figure 20] Partial cross-sectional side views of the first and second folding jigs. [Figure 21] Front views of the first and second folding jigs. [Figure 22] Top view of a folding / splitting table with its support device exposed. [Figure 23] Front view of the folding / splitting table, with the support device viewed from the front. [Figure 24] A front view of a grinding machine, shown as an example, installed in the grinding area. [Figure 25] Side view of the grinding machine. [Figure 26] Top view of the grinding machine. [Figure 27] A diagram showing an example of the procedure for forming the end cut line in the folding process. [Figure 28] A diagram showing an example of changing the rolling direction of a folding cutter wheel. [Figure 29] This diagram shows another example of changing the rolling direction of a folding cutter wheel. [Figure 30] This diagram shows another example of changing the rolling direction of a folding cutter wheel. [Figure 31] A diagram showing an example of the folding procedure in folding processing. [Figure 32] Side view of a conventional folding device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0044] Folding and splitting system 10a Referring to the attached drawings such as Figure 1, which is a side view of the glass plate processing system 10 employing the folding mechanism, the details of the folding mechanism and folding method according to the present invention will be explained as follows. Figure 2 shows the folding mechanism. System 10a Figure 3 is a top view of a glass plate processing system 10 using the glass plate processing system 10, and is a top view showing an example of glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed by the glass plate processing system 10. In Figure 3, the glass plates 11a and 11b are shown positioned in the loading area 19. In Figures 1 and 2, the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) by arrow Y, and the up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction) by arrow Z.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed in the glass plate processing system 10 (glass plates 11a and 11b before processing) have a predetermined upper surface 12 and a predetermined lower surface 13, a predetermined thickness, and are formed into a rectangular (quadrilateral) shape that is long in the width direction. The glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed have a first side edge 14 (one side edge) and a second side edge 15 (the other side edge) that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend in the front-to-back direction, a front edge 16 and a rear edge 17 that are spaced apart in the front-to-back direction and extend in the width direction, and first to fourth corners 18a to 18d. In addition, the planar shape of the glass plate to be processed may be formed into a polygon other than a rectangle (quadrilateral), and each edge of the glass plate may be formed to form a curved shape, so the shape of the glass plate can include any shape.

[0046] The glass plate processing system 10 performs cutting, folding, and grinding on glass plates 11a and 11b (flat glass) of different sizes, ranging from large-sized glass plates 11a with large upper and lower surface areas to small-sized glass plates 11b with small upper and lower surface areas. The glass plate processing system 10 is controlled by a controller (control device) (not shown).

[0047] The controller is a computer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and memory (main memory and cache memory), operating on an independent operating system (virtual OS), and has a built-in large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area). Input devices such as keyboards and numeric keypads (not shown) and output devices such as monitors, displays, and touch panels (not shown) are connected to the controller.

[0048] The controller's large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area) stores (stores) information such as the name and part number of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, multiple coordinate data for each glass plate 11a, 11b (coordinates of the side edges, front and rear edges, the first to fourth corners 18a to 18d, the center coordinates of the glass plates 11a, 11b, etc.), which vary depending on the size (area) and shape of each glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed, and image data of the glass plates 11a, 11b to be processed (planar images (6-sided images) and stereoscopic images (3D images)), all associated with glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifiers) that identify the glass plates 11a, 11b. The glass plate identification information can be the manufacturing number or serial number of the glass plates 11a, 11b, or the controller can generate a unique identifier to identify the glass plates 11a, 11b, and this generated identifier can be used as the glass plate identification information.

[0049] The controller controls the cutting and folding processes in the cutting area 20 described below. processing In the folding and cutting process in Area 21 and the grinding process in Area 22, the cutting device 55, folding device 75, and grinding device 119, described later, are NC controlled using the coordinate data of the glass plates 11a and 11b stored on a large-capacity hard disk. In NC control, the controller controls the position where the processing is to begin. (XY plane coordinates) The position of change in machining direction is quantified using coordinates, and the direction of movement, distance, and speed of the two axes, the X-axis (forward / backward direction) and the Y-axis (width direction), are quantified. The quantified command coordinates and axes are transmitted (input) to the cutting device 55, the folding device 75, and the grinding device 119. In NC control, the desired shape is accurately represented by repeating the "coordinate → axis → command" process.

[0050] The glass plate processing system 10 includes a loading area 19 (processing start area) into which the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (before processing) are loaded, an unloading area 23 (processing end area) out which the processed glass plates 11a and 11b are unloaded, processing areas 20 to 22 arranged (facilities) between the loading area 19 and the unloading area 23 for processing the glass plates 11a and 11b, and a transport mechanism 24 that transports the glass plates 11a and 11b sequentially from the rear (upstream) to the front (downstream) in the front-rear direction to the loading area 19, the processing areas 20 to 22, and the unloading area 23, and also moves the cutting device 55 and the grinding device 119 in the front-rear direction. The processing areas 20 to 22 are arranged in the front-rear direction, separated from each other in the front-rear direction, between the loading area 19 and the unloading area 23.

[0051] These processing areas 20-22 are formed from a cutting area 20 located in front of (downstream of) the loading area 19 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the loading area 19, a folding / splitting area 21 located in front of (downstream of) the cutting area 20 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the cutting area 20, and a grinding area 22 located in front of (downstream of) the folding / splitting area 21 in the front-to-back direction and a predetermined distance forward from the folding / splitting area 21. The cutting area 20, folding / splitting area 21, and grinding area 22 are made on a system table 25 (machine table) which is formed into a long rectangle in the front-to-back direction.

[0052] The transport mechanism 24 includes a pair of first pillars 26a located at the rear of the system base 25 and extending vertically, a pair of second pillars 26b located at the front of the system base 25 and extending vertically, a fixed frame 27 located between the first and second pillars 26a, 26b and extending in the front-rear direction, a first moving unit 28 (first moving means) installed on one side of the fixed frame 27, and a second moving unit 29 (second moving means) installed at the bottom of the fixed frame 27.

[0053] The first moving unit 28 moves the cutting device 55 and the grinding device 119 forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The first moving unit 28 is formed from a first guide frame 30, a pair of first guide rails 31, a first feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a first travel frame 32, a first slide block (housing nut) (not shown), a pair of first guide shoes 33, and a first servo motor 34 (see Figure 11).

[0054] The first guide frame 30 is mounted on the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first guide rails 31 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and are fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means and extend in the front-rear direction. The first feed screw (ball screw) is located between the first guide rails 31 and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to one side of the first guide frame 30 and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0055] The first travel frame 32 is located on one side of the first guide frame 30 and extends in the front-rear direction. The first slide blocks (housing nuts) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the first travel frame 32 facing the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means. The first guide shoes 33 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the first travel frame 32 facing the first guide frame 30 by predetermined fixing means, and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0056] The first servo motor 34 is located at the front end of the first guide frame 30 and is connected to the second pillar 26b via a bracket. The shaft of the first servo motor 34 is connected and fixed to the other end of the first lead screw. The rotation of the first servo motor 34 rotates the first lead screw, and the rotation of the first lead screw causes the cutting device 55 and the grinding device 119 to move forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0057] When the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates counterclockwise, the first lead screw rotates counterclockwise, and this counterclockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, and the movement of the first slide block causes the first running frame 32 to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30. Conversely, when the shaft of the first servo motor 34 rotates clockwise, the first lead screw rotates clockwise, and this clockwise rotation of the first lead screw causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the first guide frame 30, and the movement of the first slide block causes the first running frame 32 to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the first guide frame 30.

[0058] The second moving unit 29 moves the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d, described later, forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The second moving unit 29 is formed from a second guide frame 35, a pair of second guide rails 36, a second feed screw (ball screw) (not shown), a second running frame 37, a second slide block (housing nut) (not shown), a pair of second guide shoes 38, a second servo motor 39, and the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d (first to fourth glass plate lifters).

[0059] The second guide frame 35 is mounted on the fixed frame 27 and extends in the front-rear direction. The second guide rails 36 are spaced apart in the width direction and are fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 36 by predetermined fixing means and extend in the front-rear direction. The second feed screw (ball screw) is located between the second guide rails 35 and is rotatably supported by a plurality of bearings (not shown) fixed to the lower part of the second guide frame 35 and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0060] The second travel frame 37 is located below the second guide frame 35 and extends in the front-rear direction. The second slide blocks (housing nuts) are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the second travel frame 37 facing the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means. The second guide shoes 38 are spaced apart in the width direction and are fixed to the opposing surface of the second travel frame 37 facing the second guide frame 35 by predetermined fixing means, and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0061] The second servo motor 39 is located at the rear end of the second guide frame 35 and is fixed to the fixed frame 27. The shaft of the second servo motor 39 is connected and fixed to one end of the second lead screw via a timing belt (and / or gear). The rotation of the second servo motor 39 rotates the second lead screw, and the rotation of the second lead screw causes the first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d to move forward and backward (linearly) in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction).

[0062] When the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates clockwise, the second lead screw rotates clockwise, and this clockwise rotation of the second lead screw causes the second slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35, and this movement of the second slide block causes the second travel frame 37 (glass plate holders 1 to 4 40a to 40d) to move in the front-to-back direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35. Conversely, when the shaft of the second servo motor 39 rotates counterclockwise, the second lead screw rotates counterclockwise, and this counterclockwise rotation of the second lead screw causes the second slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35, and this movement of the second slide block causes the second travel frame 37 (glass plate holders 1 to 4 40a to 40d) to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the second guide frame 35.

[0063] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the first and second servo motors 34 and 39 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the first servo motor 34 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the first servo motor 34 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and stops the first servo motor 34 after it has rotated a predetermined number of times. When the control unit of the second servo motor 39 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the second servo motor 39 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and stops driving the second servo motor 39 when it receives a stop signal from the controller.

[0064] The first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d are attached to the lower part of the second travel frame 37 and extend downward from the travel frame 37, and are arranged at equal intervals in the front-rear direction. The first to fourth glass plate holders 40a to 40d have a pad mounting plate 41 extending in the front-rear direction, suction pads 42 installed on the pad mounting plate 41 for suction and holding the glass plates 11a and 11b, a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown) and a pad lifting mechanism (not shown). An air cylinder is used for the pad lifting mechanism. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the vacuum mechanism and the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0065] The first glass plate holder 40a reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the loading area 19 and the cutting area 20, moving forward from the loading area 19 towards the cutting area 20 and backward from the cutting area 20 towards the loading area 19. The second glass plate holder 40b reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the cutting area 20 and the folding area 21, moving forward from the cutting area 20 towards the folding area 21 and backward from the folding area 21 towards the cutting area 20. The third glass plate holder 40c reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the folding area 21 and the grinding area 22, moving forward from the folding area 21 towards the grinding area 22 and backward from the grinding area 22 towards the folding area 21. The fourth glass plate holder 40d reciprocates in the front-rear direction between the grinding area 22 and the discharge area 23, moving forward from the grinding area 22 towards the discharge area 23 and backward from the discharge area 23 towards the grinding area 22.

[0066] Figure 4 is a side view of the loading area 19, and Figure 5 is a top view of the loading area 19. Figure 6 is a front view of the loading area 19. The loading area 19 includes a loading conveyor 43, a stopper 44 and rollers 45, a pair of roller lifting mechanisms 46, and a moving mechanism 47. The loading area 19 is supported by legs extending upward from the floor surface of the system stand 25. In the loading area 19, a first positioning means (first positioning process) and a second positioning means (second positioning process) are performed to position the glass plates 11a and 11b toward each processing area 20 to 22.

[0067] A first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) extending in the front-to-back direction is set on one side edge 48a of the loading area 19, and a second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) extending in the width direction is set. The first positioning reference L1 is a virtual line extending straight in the front-to-back direction, based on the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 that extends in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a (the glass plate 11a to be processed first). The outermost edge is, for example, the vertex of the curve that is located furthest outward in the width direction when the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b forms a curved shape. Also, when the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b extends straight in the front-to-back direction, that side edge 14 becomes the outermost edge.

[0068] The first positioning reference L1 is positioned at the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 (one side edge) that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the width directions of the glass plates 11a, 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction. Here, positioning the outermost edge at the first positioning reference L1 includes not only the case where the outermost edge perfectly coincides with the first positioning reference L1, but also the case where the outermost edge is located near the inward (immediately adjacent) side of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction, or the case where the outermost edge is located near the outward (immediately adjacent) side of the first positioning reference L1 in the width direction.

[0069] The second positioning reference L2 is positioned at the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 (one side edge) that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the widthwise sides of the glass plates 11a and 11b (the center line L2 that extends in the widthwise direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half). Here, positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) at the second positioning reference L2 includes not only the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) perfectly coincides with the second positioning reference L2, but also the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is located near the front-rear front of the second positioning reference L2 (immediately adjacent), or the case where the front-rear center O1 (center line L2) is located near the rear-rear front of the second positioning reference L2 (immediately adjacent).

[0070] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored in a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the widthwise dimension of each glass plate 11a, 11b. Based on the difference in the widthwise (Y-axis direction) dimensions of the calculated glass plates 11a, 11b, the controller determines the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the widthwise direction to position the first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the glass plates 11a, 11b on the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line). Based on the determined first movement dimension, the controller also determines the rotational speed of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 (described later) (the number of rotations of the shaft to move the glass plates 11a, 11b by the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the widthwise direction). The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined first movement dimension and the determined rotational speed of the third servo motor 51 axis in a large-capacity hard disk, associating them with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0071] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) uses the coordinate data of each glass plate 11a, 11b stored in a large-capacity hard disk to calculate the dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b in the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction), and determines a second rearward movement dimension of the input conveyor 43 in the front-to-back direction to position the front-to-back center O1 of one side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a, 11b on the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) according to the calculated difference in the front-to-back dimensions of each glass plate 11a, 11b. The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores (stores) the determined second movement dimension in a large-capacity hard disk while associating it with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0072] The controller (glass plate processing system 10) calculates the forward and backward movement dimensions (travel distance) of the cutting device 55 and grinding device 119 based on the calculated forward and backward dimensions of each glass plate 11a and 11b, and determines the rotational speed of the first servo motor 34 axis (the number of rotations of the axis that moves the cutting device 55 and grinding device 119 by the forward and backward movement dimensions (travel distance) based on the calculated movement dimensions. The controller (glass plate processing system 10) stores the determined movement dimensions and the determined rotational speed of the first servo motor 34 axis in a large-capacity hard disk, associating them with the glass plate identification information (glass plate identification identifier) ​​of each glass plate 11a and 11b.

[0073] As shown in Figures 4-6, the loading conveyor 43 consists of multiple continuous tracks extending in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y direction). A control unit that controls the starting / stopping and transport distance of these loading conveyors 43 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). These loading conveyors 43 transport the glass plates 11a and 1b from the rear end (inlet) to the front end (outlet) of the loading area 19, from rear to front. The stoppers 44 are installed at the front end of the loading area 19 and are spaced apart in the width direction. The front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are moved forward from the rear end to the front end of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyors 44, come into contact with the stoppers 44. Contact sensors (not shown) are installed on the stoppers 44. The contact sensor is connected to the controller and detects when the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44. When the front edge 16 comes into contact with the stopper 44, it transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0074] The rollers 45 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 49 that extends in the front-rear direction, or multiple rollers are mounted on a shaft 49 that extends in the front-rear direction and rotate with the shaft 49. The rollers 45 are installed together with the shaft 49 between the input conveyors 43. The rollers 45 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction and at predetermined intervals in the width direction. The rollers 45 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in the width direction and contact the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, holding the glass plates 11a and 11b so that they can move in the width direction. The shafts 49 are mounted on a base located below them via bearings.

[0075] Between roller 45a of the rollers 45 and the shaft 49, a resistance plate (rubber ring) (not shown) is attached to increase the rotational resistance of roller 45a. The resistance between roller 45a and the shaft 54 ​​is increased by the resistance plate (rubber ring), and roller 45a will not rotate unless a rotational force exceeding the rotational resistance is applied to it, thus preventing the roller 45a from rotating freely. When glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on these rollers 45, the roller 45a with high rotational resistance prevents the glass plates 11a and 11b from moving freely in the width direction. Note that it is sufficient for at least one of the rollers 45 to have a resistance plate (rubber ring) attached between it and the shaft 49.

[0076] These roller lifting mechanisms 46 are installed below the base to which the shaft 49 is attached, and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction. Air cylinders are used in these roller lifting mechanisms 46, and the shaft 49 and the rollers 45, along with the base, are raised and lowered by the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders). The raising and lowering dimensions of the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders) are set in advance. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the roller lifting mechanisms 46 (air cylinders) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinders) receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the roller lifting mechanisms 46 to raise and lower the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49).

[0077] Furthermore, while the input conveyor 43 is transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49) are lowered below the input conveyor 43 by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), and the rollers 45 do not come into contact with the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. When the rollers 45 (base and shaft 49) are raised by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43, and the glass plates 11a and 11b are lifted above the input conveyor 43 by the rollers 45.

[0078] The moving mechanism 47 includes a rod 50 located above the input conveyor 43 and the rollers 45, a third servo motor 51 installed (built into) the rod 50, a feed screw (feed screw mechanism) (not shown) installed (built into) the rod 50 and connected to the shaft of the third servo motor 51, a moving arm 52 extending downward from the rod 50, and a contact member 53 installed at the lower end of the moving arm 52.

[0079] The rod 50 is attached to the rear surface of the first pillar 26a and extends in the width direction. The movable arm 52 is movably mounted on the lead screw and moves linearly along the rod 50 in one direction and the other in the width direction by the rotation of the lead screw caused by the rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51. The contact member 53 moves linearly along the movable arm 52 in one direction and the other in the width direction as the movable arm 52 moves in the width direction. When the roller 45 raised by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) is in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the contact member 53 contacts the other side edge 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and presses the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction so that they move in the width direction.

[0080] The control unit that controls the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the third servo motor 51 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the third servo motor 51 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the third servo motor 51 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the third servo motor 51.

[0081] Figure 7 is a top view of the cutting table 54 and the grinding table 118, and Figure 8 is a side view of the cutting table 54 and the grinding table 118. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the movement of the cutting table 54 and the grinding table 118, and Figure 10 is a side view of a cutting device 55, shown as an example installed in the cutting area 20. Figure 11 is a front view of the cutting device 55, and Figure 12 is a top view of the cutting device 55. In Figures 7 and 8, the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) by arrow Y, and the up-and-down direction (Z-axis direction) by arrow Z.

[0082] The cutting area 20 includes a cutting table 54 (cutting table) on which the glass plates 11a and 11b positioned in the loading area 19 are placed, and a cutting device 55 (cutting device) that makes an outer shape cutting line K1 (cut line) on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the cutting table 54.

[0083] The cutting table 54 is installed on a base rail 57a that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system base 25. The cutting table 54 moves in the width direction with the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b placed on it using a first moving mechanism 58a. The first moving mechanism 58a is made up of a travel guide rail 59a, a feed screw 60a (ball screw), a fourth servo motor 61, a guide shoe 62a, and a slide block 63a (housing nut).

[0084] The running guide rails 59a are installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57a and extend in the width direction. The feed screw 60a (ball screw) is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57a, to the side of the running guide rails 59a, and extends in the width direction. The fourth servo motor 61 is installed on the base lane 57a and reciprocates the cutting table 54 in the width direction. The other end of the feed screw 60a is connected to the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61.

[0085] The feed screw 60a is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 57a. The guide shoe 62a is mounted on the underside of the cutting table 54 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 62a is slidably fitted to the travel guide rail 69a. The slide block 63a (housing nut) is mounted on the underside of the cutting table 54 and between the guide shoes 62a. The slide block 63a is rotatably screwed onto the feed screw 60a.

[0086] When the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 60a rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 60a causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the second side edge 48b (the other side edge) to the first side edge 48a (the one side edge) of the cutting area 20, and the movement of the slide block 63a causes the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the second side edge 48b to the first side edge 48a of the cutting area 20. Conversely, when the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 60a rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 60a causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the first side edge 48a (one side edge) to the second side edge 48b (the other side edge) of the cutting area 20, and the movement of the slide block 63a causes the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the first side edge 48a to the second side edge 48b of the cutting area 20.

[0087] The cutting device 55 comprises a cutting jig 64, an air cylinder 65, and a fifth servo motor 66. The cutting jig 64 is formed from a cutting cutter wheel 67, a cutting cutter holder 68 (cutting holder), a cutter lifting shaft 69, and a cutter lifting guide 70. The cutting cutter wheel 67 is connected to the cutting cutter holder 68 via a bearing (not shown) and rotates freely along the axis of the interposed bearing. The cutting cutter wheel 67 forms an outer cutting line K1 on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0088] The cutting cutter holder 68 is located directly above the cutting cutter wheel 67, connected to the cutter wheel 67, and supports the cutter wheel 67. The cutter lifting shaft 69 is located directly above the cutting cutter holder 68, connected to the cutter holder 68, and supports the cutter holder 68. The cutter lifting guide 70 is located directly above the cutter lifting shaft 69, connected to the cutter lifting shaft 69, and supports the cutter lifting shaft 69. The cutting jig 64 (including the air cylinder 65) is located directly above the air cylinder 65 and connected to a support shaft 71 that rotatably supports the cutting jig 64. The support shaft 71 is attached to a bracket 72 located directly above it. The bracket 72 (cutting device 55) is connected to the first moving unit 28 of the aforementioned transport mechanism 24, which moves forward and backward (linearly) in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction).

[0089] The air cylinder 65 is installed directly above the cutter lifting shaft 69. The air cylinder 65 moves the cutting cutter wheel 67 (cutting cutter holder 68) up and down (up and down movement in the Z-axis direction), and when forming the outer cut line K1 (cut line) on the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, it lowers the cutter wheel 67 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, applying cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel 67. The fifth servo motor 66 has its shaft connected to the support shaft 71 via a timing belt 73. The fifth servo motor 66 adjusts the cutting direction orientation (angle around an axis perpendicular to the XY plane) of the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67).

[0090] In the cutting device 55, the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66 rotates the shaft of the motor 66 based on the NC control signal transmitted from the controller, and NC controls the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67). In accordance with the NC control, the cutting jig 64 (cutting cutter wheel 67) forms (inserts) the outer shape cutting line K1 on the edge 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b according to the desired shape.

[0091] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the fourth and fifth servo motors 61 and 66 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fourth servo motor 61 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fourth servo motor 61. When the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the fifth servo motor 66 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the fifth servo motor 66.

[0092] Figure 13 is a top view of the folding and splitting table 74, and Figure 14 is a side view of the folding and splitting table 74. The folding and splitting area 21 includes a folding and splitting table 74 (folding and splitting table) on which the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are positioned in the loading area 19 and have been cut in the cutting area 20, and a folding and splitting device 75 (see Figures 15 to 21) that folds the edges 56b (periphery) located outside the outer cutting line K1 (cut line) of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the folding and splitting table 74, and the glass plate 11a, 11b It is equipped with a support device 76 (see Figures 22 and 23) that supports it.

[0093] The folding and splitting table 74 is formed from a belt conveyor 77 that travels in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and a conveyor drive motor 78 that drives the belt conveyor 77, and is installed on a base plate fixed to the floor surface of the system table 25. The belt conveyor 77 is formed from a belt 79 that extends in the width direction, a plurality of pulleys 80 and carrier rollers 81 that support the belt 79, and a conveyor frame 82 that supports the belt 79, pulleys 80 and carrier rollers 81. The glass plates 11a and 11b after cutting are placed on the belt conveyor 77. The belt conveyor 77 transports the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that have been folded and split by the folding and splitting device 75 to the other side in the width direction (from the first side edge 48a to the second side edge 48b), and discards the folded edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b into a dust box (not shown).

[0094] The conveyor drive motor 78 has its shaft connected to a pulley 80 by a timing belt. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the conveyor drive motor 78 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The rotational speed of the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 78 (belt travel speed) is preset and stored in the controller's large-capacity hard disk, with the rotational speed (belt travel speed) associated with specific information of the conveyor drive motor 78. When the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 78 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the drive motor 78 at a predetermined rotational speed, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the drive motor 78. When the shaft of the conveyor drive motor 78 rotates clockwise, that rotation is transmitted to the pulley 80 via the timing belt, causing the pulley 80 to rotate clockwise, and the rotation of the pulley 80 causes the belt 79 to travel in the other direction in the width direction.

[0095] Figure 15 is a side view of the folding device 75, and Figure 16 is a front view of the folding device 75. Figure 17 is a top view of the folding device 75, and Figures 18 and 19 are enlarged front views of the folding device 75. Figure 20 is a partially broken side view of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b. Figure 21 is a front view of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b. Figure 18 shows the state in which the folding cutter wheel 93 is lowered and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b are raised. Figure 19 shows the state in which the folding cutter wheel 93 is raised and the first and second pressing members 95a and 95b are lowered.

[0096] The folding device 75 is formed from two folding devices, a first folding device 75a and a second folding device 75b, spaced apart in the width direction. The first folding device 75a is connected to the first guide frame 30, and the second folding device 75b is connected to the suspension frame 83. The suspension frame 83 is connected to the side of the second guide frame 35. The first folding device 75a includes a first folding jig 84a (folding jig), a sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis first actuator 86a, a seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis first actuator 88a, and an X-axis first actuator frame 89a and a Y-axis first actuator frame 89c. The X-axis first actuator frame 89a and the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c are connected in series at one end.

[0097] The second folding device 75b includes a second folding jig 84b (folding jig), an eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis second actuator 86b, a ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis second actuator 88b, and an X-axis second actuator frame 89b and a Y-axis second actuator frame 89d. The X-axis second actuator frame 89b and the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d are connected in series at one end.

[0098] The first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b of the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b, as shown in Figures 18 and 19, include a folding cutter holder 92, a folding cutter wheel 93, a holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), and the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b on which the outer cutting line K1 (cutting line) and edge cutting line K2 are formed (glass plates 11a, 1 extending inward along the outer cutting line K1). It is formed from a first pressing member 95a that presses 1b) downward, a second pressing member 95b that presses downward the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (glass plates 11a and 11b extending outside the outer shape cutting line K1) on which the outer shape cutting line K1 (cut line) and edge cutting line K2 are formed, a first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and a second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (second lifting mechanism).

[0099] The folding cutter holder 92 is located above the folding cutter wheel 93 and supports the folding cutter wheel 93. As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the folding cutter holder 92 has a holder body 97 with a connecting portion and a holder head 98 attached to the tip of the holder body 97.

[0100] The folding cutter wheel 93 forms (makes) an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) on the edges 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (the edges 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer cutting line K1). The folding cutter wheel 93 is rotatably mounted (rolls) on the tip of the holder head 98 via a rolling shaft 101, and its periphery 102 rolls around the rolling shaft 101. The cutter wheel axis O3 of the folding cutter wheel 93, which extends in the vertical direction, is radially eccentric (misaligned) with respect to the cutter holder central axis O2 of the folding cutter holder 92 (holder body 97), which extends in the vertical direction. The widthwise separation dimension S (eccentricity dimension) of the cutter wheel axis O3 with respect to the cutter holder central axis O2 is in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm.

[0101] The holder head 98 is connected to the holder body 97 via a bearing 100 and rotates freely along the axis of the interposed bearing 100, allowing it to rotate 360° around the cutter holder central axis O2 of the folding cutter holder 92 (in the θ direction). The holder head 98 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise around the cutter holder central axis O2. As the holder head 98 rotates, the folding cutter wheel 93 (a folding cutter wheel 93 having a cutter wheel axis O3 that is eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis O2) can rotate 360° around the cutter wheel axis O3 relative to the folding cutter holder 92. The folding cutter wheel 93 rotates clockwise and counterclockwise around the cutter holder central axis O2.

[0102] The folding cutter wheel 93 has its cutter wheel axis O3 eccentrically outward in the radial direction with respect to the cutter holder central axis O2. Therefore, when the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b (folding cutter holders 92) travel (move) along the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a, 11b in a predetermined direction, the folding cutter wheel 93 exhibits a caster effect in which the direction of rotation (movement) of its peripheral edge 102 is aligned with the direction of travel (movement) of the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b (folding cutter holders 92) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends).

[0103] The holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) is installed directly above the holder body 97 and is connected to the connecting portion 103 of the folding cutter holder 92 (holder body 97). The holder lifting mechanism 94 is fixed to the bracket 104 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism). The holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) raises and lowers (moves up and down) the folding cutter holders 92 (folding cutter wheels 93) of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). When folding the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) lowers the cutter wheel 93 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, applying edge cutting pressure (downward pressing force) to the cutter wheel 93. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the holder lifting mechanism are set in advance.

[0104] The first pressing member 95a is made of rubber or synthetic resin having rubber elasticity. The first pressing member 95a is located near the outside of the second pressing member 95b and extends in the direction circumferential to the second pressing member 95b. The first pressing member 95a has a first pressing surface 105a of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a, 1b. The first pressing surface 105a is molded into a semi-annular shape that surrounds the second pressing member 95b.

[0105] The first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) is located laterally to the first pressing member 95a in the width direction and is fixed to the bracket 104 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a. The first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (air cylinder) moves the first pressing member 95a of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0106] The first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism) lowers the first pressing member 95a toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are folded, and applies a downward pressing force to the first pressing member 95a. The lifting and lowering dimensions of the first pressing member 95a are set in advance. One of the brackets 104 is slidably attached to the X-axis first actuator frame 89a and the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c.

[0107] The second pressing member 95b is made of rubber or synthetic resin having rubber elasticity. The second pressing member 95b is located near the outside of the folding cutter wheel 93 and extends in the direction circumferential to the folding cutter wheel 93. The second pressing member 95b has a second pressing surface 105b of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a, 1b. The second pressing surface 105b is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the folding cutter wheel 93. A through hole 106 that penetrates in the vertical direction is drilled (formed) in the center of the second pressing member 95b.

[0108] The second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) is located laterally to the second pressing member 95b in the width direction and is fixed to the bracket 104 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b. The second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (air cylinder) moves the second pressing member 95b of the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) lowers the second pressing member 95b toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a, 11b when folding the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and applies a downward pressing force to the second pressing member 95b. The upward and downward dimensions of the second pressing member 95b are set in advance. The other bracket 104 is slidably mounted to the X-axis second actuator frame 89b and the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d.

[0109] The control unit that controls the start and stop of the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), the control unit that controls the start and stop of the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and the control unit that controls the start and stop of the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the holder lifting mechanism 94 receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the holder lifting mechanism 94 (air cylinder) to lift and lower the folding cutter holder 92 (folding cutter wheel 93). When the control unit of the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (air cylinder) to lift and lower the first pressing member 95a. When the control unit of the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (air cylinder) to lift and lower the second pressing member 95b.

[0110] The sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor) is installed on the X-axis first actuator frame 89a, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis first actuator 86a. The X-axis first actuator 86a has a screw portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the sixth servo motor 85 rotates clockwise, the screw portion of the X-axis first actuator 86a rotates clockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis first actuator frame 89a together with the bracket 104. When the shaft of the sixth servo motor 85 rotates counterclockwise, the screw portion of the X-axis first actuator 86a rotates counterclockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis first actuator frame 89a together with the bracket 104.

[0111] The seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c, and its axis is connected to the Y-axis first actuator 88a. The Y-axis first actuator 88a has a screw portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 87 rotates clockwise, the screw portion of the Y-axis first actuator 88a rotates clockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves along the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket 104. When the shaft of the seventh servo motor 87 rotates counterclockwise, the screw portion of the Y-axis first actuator 88a rotates counterclockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a moves along the Y-axis first actuator frame 89c toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket 104.

[0112] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the sixth and seventh servo motors 85 and 87 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the sixth servo motor 85 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the sixth servo motor 85 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the sixth servo motor 85. When the control unit of the seventh servo motor 87 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the seventh servo motor 87 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the seventh servo motor 87.

[0113] The eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the X-axis second actuator frame 89b, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis second actuator 86b. The X-axis second actuator 86b has a screw portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 90 rotates clockwise, the screw portion of the X-axis second actuator 86b rotates clockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis second actuator frame 89b together with the bracket 104. When the shaft of the eighth servo motor 90 rotates counterclockwise, the screw portion of the X-axis second actuator 86b rotates counterclockwise, and when the screw portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis second actuator frame 89b together with the bracket 104.

[0114] The ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis second actuator frame 89d, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis second actuator 88b. The Y-axis second actuator 88b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the ninth servo motor 91 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 88b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves along the second actuator frame 89d toward one side in the width direction together with the bracket 104. When the shaft of the ninth servo motor 91 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis second actuator 88b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b moves along the second actuator frame 89d toward the other side in the width direction together with the bracket 104.

[0115] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 8th and 9th servo motors 90 and 91 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 8th servo motor 90 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 8th servo motor 90 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 8th servo motor 90. When the control unit of the 9th servo motor 91 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 9th servo motor 91 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 9th servo motor 91.

[0116] Figure 22 is a top view of the folding table 74 with the support device 76 exposed, and Figure 23 is a front view of the folding table 74 with the support device 76 viewed from the front. The support device 76 is formed from two first support devices 76a and second support devices 76b that are spaced apart in the width direction. The first and second support devices 76a and 76b are connected to the guide frame 107.

[0117] The first support device 76a includes a first support member 108a and a second support member 108b, a second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) for raising and lowering the second support member 108b in the vertical direction, a tenth servo motor 110 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis third actuator 111a, an eleventh servo motor 112 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis third actuator 113a, and an X-axis third actuator frame 114a and a Y-axis third actuator frame 114c.

[0118] The second support device 76b includes a first support member 108a and a second support member 108b, a second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) for raising and lowering the second support member 108b in the vertical direction, a twelfth servo motor 115 (X-axis servo motor) and an X-axis fourth actuator 111b, a thirteenth servo motor 116 (Y-axis servo motor) and a Y-axis fourth actuator 113b, and an X-axis fourth actuator frame 114b and a Y-axis fourth actuator frame 114d.

[0119] The first support member 108a is located radially inward of the second support member 108b and has a first support surface 117a of a predetermined area that supports the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The first support surface 117a is formed into a flat, circular shape. The second support member 108b is located radially outward of the first support member 108a and has a second support surface 117b of a predetermined area that supports the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The second support surface 117b is formed into a flat, annular shape that surrounds the first support member 108a (first support surface 117a).

[0120] The second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) is located directly below the second support member 108b and is fixed to the guide frame 107 by a fixing member. An air cylinder is used in the second support member lifting mechanism 109. The second support member lifting mechanism 109 (air cylinder) moves the second support member 108b of the first and second support devices 76a and 76b up and down (up and down movement) in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) lowers the second support member 96b from the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b when the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are folded, creating a gap (a step between the first support surface 117a and the second support surface 117b) between the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the second support surface 117b. The lowering dimension of the second support member 108b is set in advance.

[0121] The control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the second support member lifting mechanism 109 receives a lifting signal from the controller, it uses the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (air cylinder) to raise and lower the second support member 108b.

[0122] The 10th servo motor 110 (X-axis servo motor) is mounted on the X-axis third actuator frame 114a, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis third actuator 111a. The X-axis third actuator 111a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 10th servo motor 110 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis third actuator 111a rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis third actuator frame 114a together with the guide frame 107. When the shaft of the 10th servo motor 110 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis third actuator 111a rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis third actuator frame 114a together with the guide frame 107.

[0123] The 11th servo motor 112 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis third actuator frame 114c, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis third actuator 113a. The Y-axis third actuator 113a has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 11th servo motor 112 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis third actuator 113a rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves along the Y-axis third actuator frame 114c together with the guide frame 107 toward one side in the width direction. When the shaft of the 11th servo motor 111 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis third actuator 113a rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the first support device 76a moves along the Y-axis third actuator frame 114c together with the guide frame 107 toward the other side in the width direction. Furthermore, the first support device 76a moves in the front-rear direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization with the first folding device 75a (first folding jig 84a).

[0124] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 10th and 11th servo motors 110 and 112 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 10th servo motor 110 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 10th servo motor 110 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 10th servo motor 110. When the control unit of the 11th servo motor 112 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 11th servo motor 112 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 11th servo motor 112.

[0125] The 12th servo motor 115 (X-axis servo motor) is installed on the X-axis 4th actuator frame 114b, and its shaft is connected to the X-axis 4th actuator 111b. The X-axis 4th actuator 111b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 115 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis 4th actuator 111b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves forward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis 4th actuator frame 114b together with the guide frame 107. When the shaft of the 12th servo motor 115 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the X-axis 4th actuator 111b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves backward in the front-rear direction along the X-axis 4th actuator frame 114b together with the guide frame 107.

[0126] The 13th servo motor 116 (Y-axis servo motor) is mounted on the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 114d, and its shaft is connected to the Y-axis 4th actuator 113b. The Y-axis 4th actuator 113b has a threaded portion and a guide portion (not shown). When the shaft of the 13th servo motor 116 rotates clockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis 4th actuator 113b rotates clockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves along the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 114d together with the guide frame 107 toward one side in the width direction. When the shaft of the 13th servo motor 116 rotates counterclockwise, the threaded portion of the Y-axis 4th actuator 113b rotates counterclockwise, and when the threaded portion rotates counterclockwise, the second support device 76b moves along the Y-axis 4th actuator frame 114d together with the guide frame 107 toward the other side in the width direction. Furthermore, the second support device 76b moves in the front-to-back direction and the width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization with the second folding device 75b (second folding jig 84b).

[0127] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 12th and 13th servo motors 115 and 116 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit for the 12th servo motor 115 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 12th servo motor 115 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 12th servo motor 115. When the control unit for the 13th servo motor 116 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 13th servo motor 116 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 13th servo motor 116.

[0128] Figure 24 is a front view of a grinding device 119 as an example installed in the grinding area 22, and Figure 25 is a side view of the grinding device 119. Figure 26 is a top view of the grinding device 119. The grinding area 22 includes a grinding table 118 (grinding platform) on which glass plates 11a and 11b are placed after being positioned in the loading area 19, cut in the cutting area 20, and folded in the folding area 21, and a grinding device 119 for grinding the edges (periphery) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the grinding table 118.

[0129] The grinding table 118 is installed on a base lane 57b that is long in the width direction and fixed to the floor surface of the system base 25 (see Figure 7). The grinding table 118 includes a plurality of suction pads 120 for adsorbing and holding glass plates 11a and 11b, and a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (air vacuum pump) (not shown) that applies suction force to the suction pads 120 by creating negative pressure on them. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the vacuum mechanism is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown).

[0130] The grinding table 118 moves in the width direction with the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b placed on it, using the second moving mechanism 58b. The second moving mechanism 58b is formed from a travel guide rail 59b, a feed screw 60b (ball screw), a 14th servo motor 121, a guide shoe 62b, and a slide block 63b (housing nut). The travel guide rail 59b is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57b and extends in the width direction. The feed screw 60b (ball screw) is installed on the upper surface of the base lane 57b and to the side of the travel guide rail 59b and extends in the width direction. The 14th servo motor 121 is installed on the base lane 57b and reciprocates the grinding table 118 in the width direction. The other end of the feed screw 60b is connected to the shaft of the 14th servo motor 121.

[0131] The control unit that controls the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 14th servo motor 121 is connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 14th servo motor 121 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 14th servo motor 121.

[0132] The feed screw 60b is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) fixed to the base lane 57b. The guide shoe 62b is mounted on the underside of the grinding table 118 and extends in the width direction. The guide shoe 62b is slidably fitted to the travel guide rail 59b. The slide block 63b (housing nut) is mounted on the underside of the grinding table 118 and between the guide shoes 62b. The slide block 63b is rotatably screwed onto the feed screw 60b.

[0133] When the shaft of the 14th servo motor 121 rotates clockwise, the feed screw 60b rotates clockwise, and the clockwise rotation of the feed screw 60b causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a, and the movement of the slide block 63b causes the grinding table 118 to move in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a. When the shaft of the 14th servo motor 121 rotates counterclockwise, the feed screw 60b rotates counterclockwise, and the counterclockwise rotation of the feed screw 60b causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22, and the movement of the slide block 63b causes the grinding table 118 to move in the width direction from one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22.

[0134] Furthermore, the 14th servo motor 121 is driven in sync with the 4th servo motor 61 of the cutting area 20, and the grinding table 118 moves from the other side edge 48b to the one side edge 48a of the grinding area 22 in sync with the movement of the cutting table 54 from the other side edge 48b to the one side edge 48a of the cutting area 20, or the grinding table 118 moves from the one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 in sync with the movement of the cutting table 54 from the one side edge 48a to the other side edge 48b of the cutting area 20. The control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational rate when it receives a drive signal from the controller, and stops driving the 14th servo motor 121 when it receives a stop signal from the controller.

[0135] The grinding device 119 comprises a grinding jig 122, a 15th servo motor 123 (grinding Z-axis servo motor), a 16th servo motor 124 (lifting servo motor), a 17th servo motor 125 (cutting servo motor), a grinding wheel lifting screw 126, and a grinding wheel cutting screw 127. The grinding jig 122 is formed from a grinding wheel 128, a grinding holder 129, a cover 130, and a spindle motor 131. The grinding wheel 128 is formed into a disc shape with a predetermined diameter, and its outer surface grinds the edges (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 1b.

[0136] The grinding holder 129 is located directly above the grinding wheel 128 and rotatably supports the grinding wheel 128. The cover 130 is located directly below the grinding wheel 128 and encloses the entire grinding wheel 128. The cover 130 is detachably attached to the grinding jig 122. The cover 130 has a slit 132 into which the edges (periphery) of the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b are inserted. The spindle motor 131 is located directly above the grinding wheel 128 (grinding holder 129) and is installed and housed in the motor housing 133. The shaft of the spindle motor 131 is connected to the center of the grinding wheel 128. The rotation of the shaft of the spindle motor 131 causes the grinding wheel 128 to rotate.

[0137] The motor housing 133 is fixed to the travel frame 32 via a bracket 134. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the spindle motor 131, as well as its rotational speed and rotational velocity, is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the spindle motor 131 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the spindle motor 131 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the spindle motor 131.

[0138] The 15th servo motor 123 (grinding Z-axis servo motor) is located near the rear of the grinding jig 122 and is connected to and fixed to the travel frame 32 via a bracket 134. The shaft of the 15th servo motor 123 is connected to the support shaft of the motor housing 133. The 15th servo motor 123 finely adjusts the axial orientation (angle around the axis) of the grinding wheel 128 so that the outer surface of the grinding wheel 128 contacts the edge (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b parallel to the edge (periphery) of the grinding wheel 128.

[0139] The 16th servo motor 124 (lifting servo motor) is located near the outer width direction of the motor housing 133 (spindle motor 131) and is connected to and fixed to the motor housing 133. The shaft of the 16th servo motor 124 is connected to the grinding wheel lifting screw 126 and rotates the grinding wheel lifting screw 126. The 16th servo motor 124 moves the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) up and down according to the thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and finely adjusts the height of the grinding wheel 128 so that its height matches the height of the edge of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the outer surface of the grinding wheel 128 contacts the edge of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0140] Furthermore, in the initial setup for starting the processing of glass plates 11a and 11b, the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 128 to the center of the groove is input to the controller. Based on the input distance, the controller calculates the rotational speed of the shaft of the 16th servo motor 124 and transmits the calculated rotational speed to the control unit of the 16th servo motor 124. The control unit of the 16th servo motor 124 rotates the shaft of the 16th servo motor 124 at the rotational speed received from the controller. When the shaft of the 16th servo motor 124 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel lifting screw 126 rotates clockwise and the screw 126 descends, thereby lowering the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133). When the shaft of the 16th servo motor 124 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel lifting screw 126 rotates counterclockwise and the screw 126 rises, thereby raising the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133). As long as the thickness dimensions of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed are the same, once the fine adjustment of the height of the grinding wheel 128 is set, no further adjustments are required.

[0141] The 17th servo motor 125 (cutting servo motor) is located directly below the 16th servo motor 124 (lifting servo motor) and near the outer width direction of the motor housing 133 (spindle motor 131), and is connected to and fixed to the motor housing 133. The shaft of the 17th servo motor 125 is connected to the grinding wheel cutting screw 127, and rotates the grinding wheel cutting screw 127. The 17th servo motor 125 moves the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) in the width direction according to the outer diameter of the grinding wheel 128, and finely adjusts the cutting depth of the grinding wheel 128 so that the outer surface of the grinding wheel 128 contacts the edge (periphery) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0142] The control units that control the starting / stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the 15th to 17th servo motors 123 to 125 are connected to the controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit for the 15th servo motor 123 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 15th servo motor 123 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 15th servo motor 123. When the control unit for the 16th servo motor 124 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 16th servo motor 124 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 16th servo motor 124. When the control unit for the 17th servo motor 125 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the 17th servo motor 125 at a predetermined rotational speed and rotational velocity, and when it receives a stop signal from the controller, it stops driving the 17th servo motor 125.

[0143] Furthermore, in the initial setup for starting the processing of glass plates 11a and 11b, the diameter of the grinding wheel 128 is input to the controller. The controller calculates the rotational speed of the shaft of the 17th servo motor 125 based on the input diameter of the grinding wheel 128 and transmits the calculated rotational speed to the control unit of the 17th servo motor 125. The control unit of the 17th servo motor 125 rotates the shaft of the 17th servo motor 125 at the rotational speed received from the controller. When the shaft of the 17th servo motor 125 rotates clockwise at a predetermined rotational speed, the grinding wheel cutting screw 127 rotates clockwise and the screw 127 moves backward in the front-rear direction, thereby moving the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) backward in the front-rear direction. When the shaft of the 17th servo motor 125 rotates counterclockwise at a predetermined speed, the grinding wheel cutting screw 127 rotates counterclockwise and moves forward in the front-to-back direction, causing the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) to move forward in the front-to-back direction. As long as the diameter of the grinding wheel 128 remains the same, once the fine adjustment of the front-to-back position of the grinding wheel 128 is set, no further adjustments are required.

[0144] An unloading area 23 is equipped with an unloading conveyor belt 135. The unloading area 23 is supported by legs that extend upward from the floor surface of the system base 25. The unloading conveyor belt 135 consists of multiple continuous tracks extending in the front-to-back direction (X direction) and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction (Y direction). A control unit that controls the starting, stopping, and transport distance of the unloading conveyor belt 135 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). The unloading conveyor belt 135 transports the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear end (inlet) to the front end (outlet) of the unloading area 135, from rear to front in the front-to-back direction.

[0145] The following describes an example of processing (cutting, folding, and grinding) of glass plates 11a and 11b. At the start of processing, the first glass plate holder 40a is waiting above the loading area 19, the second glass plate holder 40b is waiting above the cutting area 20, the third glass plate holder 40c is waiting above the folding area 21, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d is waiting above the grinding area 22.

[0146] Multiple images of various glass plates are output (displayed) to a monitor, display, or touch panel (output device) connected to the controller. From the multiple images of various glass plates output (displayed) to the output device, the user clicks (tap) (selects) a specific glass plate 11a, 11b to be processed. Once the specific glass plates 11a, 11b are selected, the controller selects an NC control program for processing those glass plates 11a, 11b. The controller outputs (displays) to the output device an input area for the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 128 to the center of the groove, an input area for the front-to-back dimensions of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and an input area for the diameter of the grinding wheel 128.

[0147] Enter the distance from the mounting reference surface of the grinding wheel 128 to the center of the groove in the input area, and enter the diameter of the grinding wheel 128 in the input area, then click (tap) the input button displayed on the output device. Once the distance and diameter are entered, the controller drives the 16th servo motor 124 to move the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) up and down to fine-tune the height of the grinding wheel 128, and drives the 17th servo motor 125 to move the grinding wheel 128 (motor housing 133) in the width direction to fine-tune the position of the grinding wheel 128 in the front-to-back direction. After these fine adjustments are completed, the controller outputs (displays) a processing start button on the output device. Clicking (tapping) the processing start button starts the processing of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0148] The selected glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed (before processing) are brought into the loading area 19. In the loading area 19, a first positioning means (first positioning process) and a second positioning means (second positioning process) are performed. The glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed are automatically supplied to the loading conveyor 43 in the loading area 19 by an automatic supply device (not shown). Multiple glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed, each with the same area of ​​the top surface 12 and bottom surface 13 (same size), are stacked vertically in the automatic supply device, and the glass plates 11a and 11b are supplied one by one from the automatic supply device to the loading conveyor 43.

[0149] An example of the positioning procedure for glass plates 11a and 11b in the loading area 19 is as follows: The controller transmits a transport signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, and the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), drives the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, loaded into the loading area 19, are placed on the loading conveyor 43 with their lower surfaces 13 in contact with the loading conveyor 43. The first side edge 14 (one side edge 14) (including cases where the side edge 14 is curved) of the glass plates 11a and 11b is parallel to one side edge 48a of the loading area 19, and the other side edge 15 is parallel to the other side edge 48b of the loading area 19.

[0150] The glass plates 11a and 11b, placed on the loading conveyor 43, are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43. As the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the loading area 19, and their front edges 16 come into contact with the stopper 44, a contact sensor installed on the stopper 44 detects the contact of the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with the stopper 44 and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0151] Upon receiving the contact signal, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 stops driving the loading conveyor 43. Next, the controller sends a second rearward movement dimension of the loading conveyor 43 to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 in order to position the front-rear center O of the first side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b (the center line L2 that extends in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and also sends a reverse signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43.

[0152] Upon receiving the second movement dimension and the retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 drives the loading conveyor 43 to move the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension in the front-rear direction. When the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension, the front-rear center O1 of one side edge in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (second positioning means (second positioning step)).

[0153] After moving the glass plates 11a and 11b a second distance backward in the front-rear direction, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops the drive of the input conveyor 43. Next, the controller sends an up signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the up signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 raises the rollers 45 (air cylinder). As the roller lifting mechanism 46 rises, the rollers 45 rise, and a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43. With the raised rollers 45 in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 lift the glass plates 11a and 11b above the input conveyor 43.

[0154] After the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) has finished raising, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51, which is calculated from the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism 47 for positioning the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51 and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0155] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move from its starting point toward one side in the width direction along with the moving arm 52. As the contact member 53 moves toward one side in the width direction, it comes into contact with the second side edge 15 (the other side edge) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the contact member 53 presses the second side portions 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b toward the width direction so that the glass plates 11a and 11b move from one side to the other in the width direction. The glass plates 11a and 11b pressed by the contact member 53 move toward the width direction on the roller 45, and the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (first positioning means (first positioning step)).

[0156] When the contact member 53 has finished moving in one direction in the width direction, and the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51. After the driving of the third servo motor 51 stops, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51, rotating the shaft of the third servo motor 51 counterclockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0157] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move to the other side in the width direction together with the moving arm 52, and the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement. After the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 and a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51, and upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 lowers the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). When the roller lifting mechanism 46 is lowered, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which were positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), come into contact with the conveyor belt 43.

[0158] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) move the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43, so that the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b comes into contact with the stopper 44, and then the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward in the front-rear direction, so that the front-rear center O1 (center line L of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b 2) Position the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2 in the loading area 19, and the second positioning means (second positioning step) positions the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of one side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2, and then the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) raises the glass plates 11a and 11b together with the rollers 45, and the second side edge 15 of the raised glass plates 11a and 11b is moved by the moving mechanism By pressing and moving it in the width direction by 47, the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19. Therefore, on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a, which will be processed first, the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11a) of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction is positioned at the position of one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11b, which will be processed later, and the upper and lower surfaces 12 and 13 have different areas. This allows for the precise positioning (coincidence) of the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11b) of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction, and for the precise positioning (coincidence) of the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a, which is processed first, and for the later processed glass plates 11b of different sizes with different areas of upper and lower surfaces 12.

[0159] Another example of the positioning procedure for the glass plates 11a and 11b in the loading area 19 is as follows: The controller transmits a forward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, and the control unit of the loading conveyor 43, upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), drives the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, loaded into the loading area 19, are placed on the loading conveyor 43 with their lower surfaces 13 in contact with the loading conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b, placed on the loading conveyor 43, are gradually moved forward in the front-rear direction from the rear (start position) to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43. As the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the rear to the front of the loading area 19, and the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44, a contact sensor installed on the stopper 44 detects the contact of the front edges 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with the stopper 44 and transmits a contact signal to the controller.

[0160] Upon receiving the contact signal, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops the drive of the input conveyors 48. Next, the controller sends an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the upward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 raises the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). As the roller lifting mechanism 46 rises, the rollers 45 rise, and a portion of the peripheral edge of the rollers 45 is exposed above the input conveyor 43. With the raised rollers 45 in contact with the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the rollers 45 lift the glass plates 11a and 11b above the input conveyor 43.

[0161] After the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) has finished raising, the controller transmits to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 the rotation speed of the third servo motor 51, which is calculated from the first movement dimension (first movement distance) in the width direction of the moving mechanism 47 for positioning the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b to the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and also transmits a forward rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the rotation speed and the forward rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 clockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0162] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the clockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move from its starting point toward one side in the width direction (side 48a of the loading area 19) together with the moving arm 52. As the contact member 53 moves toward one side in the width direction, it comes into contact with the second side edges 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the contact member 53 presses the second side edges 15 of the glass plates 11a and 11b toward the width direction so that the glass plates 11a and 11b move from the other side in the width direction to the other side. The glass plates 11a and 11b, pressed by the contact member 53, move toward the width direction on the roller 45, and the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, which is located furthest outward in the width direction, is positioned on the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (first positioning means (first positioning step)).

[0163] When the contact member 53 has finished moving to one side in the width direction and the first side edges 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b are positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51. After the driving of the third servo motor 51 stops, the controller sends a reverse rotation signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51. Upon receiving the reverse rotation signal (ON signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 drives the third servo motor 51 and rotates the shaft of the third servo motor 51 counterclockwise by a predetermined number of rotations.

[0164] The rotation of the lead screw caused by the counterclockwise rotation of the shaft of the third servo motor 51 causes the contact member 53 to gradually move toward the other side in the width direction (side 48b of the loading area 19) together with the moving arm 52, and the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement. After the contact member 53 returns to the starting point of movement, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the third servo motor 51 and a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the third servo motor 51 stops driving the third servo motor 51, and upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the roller lifting mechanism 46 lowers the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder). When the roller lifting mechanism 46 is lowered, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the transport conveyor 43.

[0165] After the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the conveyor belt 43, the controller transmits to the control unit of the conveyor belt 43 a second rearward movement dimension of the conveyor belt 43 in order to position the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b on the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and also transmits a loading signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the conveyor belt 43.

[0166] Upon receiving the second movement dimension and the transport signal (ON signal), the control unit of the loading conveyor 43 drives the loading conveyor 43 to move the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension in the front-rear direction. When the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b backward by the second movement dimension, the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) is positioned at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) in the loading area 19 (second positioning means (second positioning tool)). After moving the glass plates 11a and 11b a second distance backward in the front-rear direction, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the input conveyor 43. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the input conveyor 43 stops driving the input conveyor 43. The glass plates 11a and 11b are positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning operator) and the second positioning means (second positioning operator).

[0167] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) move the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19 by the loading conveyor 43, and after the front edge 16 of the glass plates 11a and 11b comes into contact with the stopper 44, the glass plates 11a and 11b are raised together with the rollers 45 by the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder), and the second side edge 15 of the raised glass plates 11a and 11b is pressed and moved in the width direction by the moving mechanism 47, thereby moving the first side edge of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the width direction The outermost edge of the 14 that is located furthest outward in the width direction is positioned at the first positioning reference L1 in the loading area 19, and after the first positioning means (first positioning step) positions the outermost edge of the first side edges 14 of the glass plates 11a and 11b that is located furthest outward in the width direction at the first positioning reference L1, the roller lifting mechanism 46 (air cylinder) lowers the glass plates 11a and 11b together with the rollers 45, and the loading conveyor 43 moves the glass plates 11a and 11b from the rear to the front of the loading area 19. After the front edges 16 of the lath plates 11a and 11b come into contact with the stopper 44, the glass plates 11a and 11b are moved backward in the front-rear direction by the loading conveyor 43, thereby positioning the front-rear center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plates 11a and 11b) of the first side edge 14 in the width direction of the glass plates 11a and 11b at the second positioning reference L2 in the loading area 19. As a result, the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a to be processed first will be positioned at the location of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, which will be processed later, with different area sizes. The outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the staggered glass plates 11b can be precisely positioned (coincided), and the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11a) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the glass plate 11a, which is processed first, can be precisely (positioned) to coincide with the front-to-back center O1 (center line L2 of the glass plate 11b) of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the staggered glass plates 11b, which have different upper and lower surface areas 12 and 13 and are processed later.

[0168] In the folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10), when a large glass plate 11a with a large area of ​​upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 and a small glass plate 11b with a smaller area of ​​upper and lower surfaces 12, 13 than the large glass plate 11a are positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), as shown in Figure 3, the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction of the large glass plate 11a The first side edge 14 (one side edge) of the small glass plate 11b, which extends in the front-rear direction, is located at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) of the loading area 19, and the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the large glass plate 11a, which extends in the front-rear direction, and the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b, which extends in the front-rear direction, are located at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line) of the loading area 19.

[0169] The large glass plate 11a and the small glass plate 11b, positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), have their outermost edges (first side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plates 11a and 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction coincide at the first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line), and their front-rear center O1 (center line L2 extending in the width direction by dividing the front-rear dimension of the glass plates 11a and 11b in half) coincide at the second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line).

[0170] After the positioning of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), the controller transmits a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the lifting mechanism (air cylinder) lowers the suction pad 42 toward the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b using the lifting mechanism. After the suction pad 42 of the first glass plate holder 40a comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a suction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the suction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the vacuum mechanism activates the vacuum mechanism.

[0171] When the vacuum mechanism is activated, the glass plates 11a and 11b located in the loading area 19 are sucked into the suction pad 42. After activating the vacuum mechanism, the controller transmits an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the upward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) raises the suction pad 42 using the pad lifting mechanism. The glass plates 11a and 11b, positioned in the loading area 19 by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), are sucked into the suction pad 42 and rise together with the suction pad 42.

[0172] After the suction pads 42 (glass plates 11a, 11b) rise, the controller sends a forward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servo motor 39. Upon receiving the forward signal (ON signal), the control unit of the second servo motor 39 drives the second servo motor 39. The rotation of the shaft of the second servo motor 39 causes the slide block to move in the front-rear direction from the rear to the front of the second guide frame 35, thereby moving the first glass plate holder 40a (glass plates 11a, 11b held by the suction pads 42) from the loading area 19 to the cutting area 20 (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)). As the slide block moves, the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d move forward in the front-rear direction together with the first glass plate holder 40a.

[0173] After the first glass plate holder 40a moves to the cutting area 20, the controller sends a descent signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the descent signal (ON signal), the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) lowers the suction pads 42 (glass plates 11a, 11b) onto the cutting table 54 in the cutting area 20 using the pad lifting mechanism. After the glass plates 11a, 11b, which are held in place by the suction pads 42 of the first glass plate holder 40a, come into contact with the cutting table 54, the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the first glass plate holder 40a. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the vacuum mechanism stops the operation of the vacuum mechanism. When the vacuum mechanism stops, the suction pads 41 release their grip on the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the positioned glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 54. When the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 54, the lower surfaces 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b are held in place by suction pads (not shown) installed on the cutting table 54.

[0174] Next, the controller sends an upward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder) of the first glass plate holder 40a, and the upward signal causes the first glass plate holder 40a (pad lifting mechanism) to rise above the cutting table 55. After the first glass plate holder 40a rises, the controller sends a downward signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the second servo motor 39, and the rotation of the shaft of the second servo motor 39 causes the first glass plate holder 40a to move from the cutting area 20 to the loading area 19, where it waits above the loading area 19. Furthermore, along with the first glass plate holder 40a, the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d also move backward in the front-to-back direction, with the second glass plate holder 40b waiting above the cutting area 20, the third glass plate holder 40c waiting above the folding area 21, and the fourth glass plate holder 40d waiting above the grinding area 22.

[0175] The procedures for transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b after cutting from the cutting area 20 to the folding area 21 using the second glass plate holder 40b (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)), transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b after folding from the folding area 21 to the grinding area 21 using the third glass plate holder 40c (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)), and transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b after grinding from the grinding area 22 to the discharge area 23 using the fourth glass plate holder 40d (glass plate moving means (glass plate moving process)) are the same as those for transporting the glass plates 11a and 11b from the loading area 19 to the cutting area 20 using the first glass plate holder 40a, so the explanation of the transport procedures using the second to fourth glass plate holders 40b to 40d is omitted.

[0176] After the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the cutting table 54, the controller sends a retraction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. Upon receiving the retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-back direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, and as a result, the cutting device 55 moves backward in the front-to-back direction in the cutting area 20 together with the first travel frame 32, and the cutting device 55 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position).

[0177] In addition, during the cutting process, although not shown in the diagram, the second glass plate holder 40b, which has moved (returned) from the folding area 21 to the cutting area 20, is lowered onto the cutting table 54 in the cutting area 20 by the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder). The suction pad 41 of the second glass plate holder 40b comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the cutting table 54, and the vacuum mechanism is activated, causing the suction pad 41 to hold the glass plates 11a and 11b in place, while simultaneously pressing the glass plates 11a and 11b downwards. During the cutting process, the glass plates 11a and 11b are supported under pressure by the suction pad 41 of the second glass plate holder 40b.

[0178] After the cutting device 55 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position), the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 stops the first servo motor 34, and upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61. The rotation of the shaft of the fourth servo motor 61 causes the slide block 63a to move the feed screw 60a in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the cutting area 20 toward the one side edge 48a, thereby causing the cutting table 54 to move in the width direction from the other side edge 48b toward the one side edge 48a of the cutting area 20, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 to be positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a, 11b.

[0179] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control units of the air cylinder 65 and the fifth servo motor 66 of the cutting device 55, a retraction signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and an NC control signal to the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61. Upon receiving a drive signal (ON signal) or NC control signal, the control unit of the air cylinder 65, the control unit of the fifth servo motor 66, the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 of the cutting device 55 drive the air cylinder 65, the fifth servo motor 66, the first servo motor 34, and the fourth servo motor 61 to perform contour control motion by NC control on the vicinity of the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, causing the cutting cutter wheel 67 to cut the vicinity of the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0180] Upon receiving a retraction signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during the cutting process to move the cutting device 55 backward in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during the cutting process to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the width direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the first corner 18a to the second corner 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0181] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the first side edge 14 (first side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction from one side edge portion 48a to the other side edge portion 48b of the cutting area 20, and as the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the rear end edge 17 (rear end edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0182] The control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during cutting to move the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during cutting to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the second corner 18b to the third corner 18c of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the rear edge 17 (rear edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0183] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the rear edge 17 (rear edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting device 55 moves forward in the front-rear direction, and as the cutting device 55 moves forward in the front-rear direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the second side edge 15 (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0184] The control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during cutting to move the cutting device 55 forward in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20, and the control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 during cutting to reciprocate the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the third corner 18c to the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the second side edge 15 (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0185] After the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the cutting cutter wheel 67 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction from the other side edge portion 48b of the cutting area 20 toward the one side edge portion 48a, and as the cutting table 54 moves in the width direction, the cutting cutter wheel 67 cuts near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting means (cutting process)).

[0186] The control unit of the fourth servo motor 61 drives the fourth servo motor 61 to move the cutting table 54 in the width direction within the cutting area 20 during the cutting process, and the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 to reciprocate the cutting device 55 in the front-rear direction within the cutting area 20 during the cutting process. The cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 moves from the fourth corner 18d toward the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, forming an outer shape cutting line K1 near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b. When the cutting cutter wheel 67 of the cutting device 55 completes the cutting process near the front edge 16 (front edge portion) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cutting device 55 moves outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a (front edge 16) of the glass plates 11a and 11b (cutting start position) and waits.

[0187] In the cutting area 19, for example, at the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line)) of the outermost edge (first side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a, which is the outermost edge in the width direction of the first side edge 14 that extends in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a with a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 that will be processed first by the first positioning means (first positioning step), the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line)) of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 that will be processed later, on one side of the width direction In this process, the outermost edge of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction (the first side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) is positioned (aligned) to position the glass plates 11a and 11b of different sizes with different areas of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13. The second positioning means (second positioning step) then positions the front-rear center O1 of the first side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the larger glass plate 11a that is processed first (the center line L that divides the front-rear dimension of the glass plate 11a in half and extends in the width direction). 2) Position (second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line)) and align the front-to-back center O1 of the first side edge 14 that extends in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the small glass plate 11b to be processed later (center line L2 that divides the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11b in half and extends in the width direction) and after positioning the glass plates 11a and 11b which have different areas of the top surface 12 and bottom surface, when cutting the glass plate 11b which has a different area to be processed later, the cut reaches the side edge 14 of the large glass plate 11a The travel distance of the device 55 (the travel distance of the cutting table 54 in the width direction) becomes equal to the travel distance of the cutting device 55 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b (the travel distance of the cutting table 54 in the width direction), and the travel distance of the cutting device 55 from the outermost edge (first side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate 11a becomes equal to the travel distance of the cutting device 55 from the outermost edge (first side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to return outward in the width direction of the glass plate 11b.The distance the cutting device 55 travels to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b is shortened, and the distance the cutting device 55 travels back from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the widthwise outward direction of the glass is also shortened. This shortens the time (non-processing time) for the cutting device 55 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b, and also shortens the time it takes for the cutting device 55 to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the widthwise outward direction of the glass plate 11b.

[0188] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) align the position of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of a large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a with a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, which is processed first by the first positioning means (first positioning step), with the position of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction of one side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of a small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, which is processed later, with the position of the outermost edge (one side edge 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11b) located furthest outward in the width direction of the This process positions the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are of different sizes and have different upper and lower surface areas 12 and 13, and the second positioning means (second positioning step) aligns the position of the front-to-back center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the larger glass plate 11a (center line L2 that divides the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11a in half and extends in the width direction) (second positioning reference (virtual second positioning reference line)) with the position of the front-to-back center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-to-back direction on one side of the width direction of the smaller glass plate 11b (center line L2 that divides the front-to-back dimension of the glass plate 11b in half and extends in the width direction) (second positioning reference L2 (virtual second positioning reference line)), thereby aligning the glass plates 11a and 11b, which are of different sizes and have different upper and lower surface areas 12 and 13,After positioning 11b, the cutting process is performed on the smaller glass plate 11b (glass plate 11b with a different area) to be processed later. Therefore, the distance traveled by the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a with a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 (the distance traveled by the cutting table 59 in the width direction) is equal to the distance traveled by the cutting device 60 until it reaches the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 (the distance traveled by the cutting table 59 in the width direction). The travel distance from the side edge 14) back to the glass plate 11b in the width direction (the travel distance of the cutting table 59 in the width direction) becomes equal, and compared to conventional glass plate processing systems, the travel distance of the cutting device 60 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b can be shortened, as can the travel distance of the cutting device 60 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) back to the glass plate 11b in the width direction, thereby shortening the arrival time (non-processing time) for the cutting device 60 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small-sized glass plate 11b, and shortening the return time for the cutting device 60 to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) back to the glass plate 11b in the width direction.

[0189] Figure 27 shows an example of the procedure for forming the end cut line in the splitting process, and Figure 28 shows an example of changing the rolling direction of the splitting cutter wheel 93. Figure 29 shows another example of changing the rolling direction of the splitting cutter wheel 93, and Figure 30 shows another example of changing the rolling direction of the splitting cutter wheel 93. Figure 31 shows an example of the splitting procedure in the splitting process.

[0190] After the cutting process (outer shape cutting line K1) is completed on the edges 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the cut glass plates 11a and 11b are transported from the cutting area 20 to the folding area 21 by the second glass plate holder 40b. In the folding area 21, an edge cutting line K2 is drawn on the edges 56b of the cut glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1, and the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, surrounded by the outer shape cutting line K1 and the edge cutting line K2, are folded and broken.

[0191] In addition, during the folding process, although not shown in the diagram, the third glass plate holder 40c, which has moved (returned) from the grinding area 22 to the folding area 21, is lowered onto the folding table 74 in the folding area 210 by the pad lifting mechanism (air cylinder). The suction pad 41 of the third glass plate holder 40c comes into contact with the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b placed on the folding table 74, and the vacuum mechanism is activated, causing the suction pad 41 to hold the glass plates 11a and 11b in place, while simultaneously pressing the glass plates 11a and 11b downwards. During the folding process, the glass plates 11a and 11b are supported under pressure by the suction pad 41 of the third glass plate holder 40c.

[0192] After the cut glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the folding table 74, the controller transmits drive signals (ON signals) to the control units of the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), the sixth servo motor 85 (X-axis servo motor), the seventh servo motor 87 (Y-axis servo motor), the eighth servo motor 90 (X-axis servo motor), and the ninth servo motor 91 (Y-axis servo motor) of the first folding device 75a and the second folding device 75b. Upon receiving a drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the holder lifting mechanism 94, the control units of the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the control units of the sixth to ninth servo motors 85, 87, 90, and 91 drive the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the sixth to ninth servo motors 85, 87, 90, and 91. Furthermore, the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b move along a preset travel trajectory (folding trajectory) on the upper surface of the glass plates 11a and 11b. 12 Commands (signals) are sent from the controller to the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the sixth to ninth servo motors 85, 87, 90, and 91 to move the vehicle.

[0193] The first folding device 75a, driven by the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the sixth to ninth servo motors 85, 87, 90, and 91, has its first folding jig 84a (folding jig) moved in the front-rear direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis first actuator 86a and the Y-axis first actuator 88a, so that the first folding jig 84a is positioned at the folding start position in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area on the widthwise outward side of the first corner portion 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0194] The second folding device 75b, driven by the holder lifting mechanism 94, the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b, and the sixth to ninth servo motors 85, 87, 90, and 91, has its second folding jig 84b (folding jig) moved in the front-rear direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the second X-axis actuator 86b and the second Y-axis actuator 88b, so that the second folding jig 84b is positioned at the folding start position in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area on the widthwise outward side of the fourth corner portion 18d of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0195] After the first folding jig 84a of the first folding device 75a is positioned at the folding start position (outward in the width direction) of the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, it moves in the front-back direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis first actuator 86a and the Y-axis first actuator 88a, as shown by the arrows in Figure 27, to a rolling direction change position near the outer shape cutting line K1 among the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1. After the first folding jig 84a moves to a rolling direction change position near the outer shape cutting line K1, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)).

[0196] After the second folding jig 84b of the second folding device 75b is positioned at the folding start position (outward in the width direction) of the fourth corner 18d of the glass plates 11a, 11b, it moves in the front-back direction and width direction (diagonal direction) by the X-axis second actuator 86b and the Y-axis second actuator 88b, as shown by the arrows in Figure 27, to the rolling direction change area near the outer shape cutting line K1 among the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1. After the second folding jig 84b moves to the rolling direction change area near the outer shape cutting line K1, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)). Furthermore, the area where the rolling direction is changed may be near the periphery of the glass plates 11a and 11b, rather than near the outer cutting line K1.

[0197] As the folding cutter holder 92 descends, the folding cutter wheel 93 is exposed downward through the through hole 106 formed in the center of the second pressing member 95b. When the folding cutter wheel 93 is exposed below the through hole 106, it contacts the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the rolling direction change area with a predetermined pressing force. At this time, the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 93 is not determined, the peripheral edge 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 faces in one of the four directions, and the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 93 does not coincide with the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends at the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0198] The controller transmits a travel signal to the control units of the sixth and seventh servo motors 85 and 87 so that the splitting cutter wheel 93 travels (moves) in a predetermined direction. Upon receiving the travel signal, the control units of the sixth and seventh servo motors 85 and 87 drive the seventh servo motor 85 and 87. The driving of the sixth and seventh servo motors 85 and 87 activates the X-axis first actuator 86a and the Y-axis first actuator 88a, causing the splitting cutter wheel 93 to travel (move) slightly in a predetermined direction. This creates a caster effect on the splitting cutter wheel 93, causing it to rotate around the cutter holder's central axis O2 (clockwise or counterclockwise), and the direction of rotation (movement) of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 to face the direction of travel (movement) of the first splitting jig 84a (splitting cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual end cutting line extends) (rolling direction changing means (rolling direction changing process)).

[0199] The controller transmits a travel signal to the control units of the eighth and ninth servo motors 90 and 91 so that the splitting cutter wheel 93 travels (moves) in a predetermined direction. Upon receiving the travel signal, the control units of the eighth and ninth servo motors 90 and 91 drive the eighth and ninth servo motors 90 and 91. The driving of the eighth and ninth servo motors 90 and 91 activates the X-axis second actuator 86b and the Y-axis second actuator 88b, causing the splitting cutter wheel 93 to travel (move) slightly in a predetermined direction. This creates a caster effect on the splitting cutter wheel 93, causing it to rotate around the cutter holder's central axis O2 (clockwise or counterclockwise), and the direction of rotation (movement) of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 to face the direction of travel (movement) of the second splitting jig 84b (splitting cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual end cutting line extends) (rolling direction changing means (rolling direction changing process)). Furthermore, the travel dimension (movement dimension) of the folding cutter wheel 93 (first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b) in a predetermined direction is 0.8 to 4 mm.

[0200] An example of changing the rolling direction of the splitting cutter wheel 93 is shown in Figure 28. The first splitting jig 84a (splitting jig) and the second splitting jig 84b (splitting jig) travel (move) in a circular (semicircular) shape from the starting point 99a of the rolling direction change to the ending point 99b of the rolling direction change to the side of the virtual end cutting line. The periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 rotates 180° to trace a circular (semicircular) trajectory. When the periphery 102 of the cutter wheel 93 is located at the starting point (ending point 99b of the rolling direction change) of the virtual end cutting line, the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 is in the direction of travel (movement) of the first and second splitting jigs 84a and 84b (the direction in which the virtual end cutting line extends).

[0201] Another example of changing the rolling direction of the splitting cutter wheel 93 is shown in Figures 29 and 30. The first splitting jig 84a (splitting jig) and the second splitting jig 84b (splitting jig) travel (move) in a circular shape (perfect circle) from the starting point of the virtual end cutting line (starting point for changing the rolling direction 99a) to the starting point of the virtual end cutting line (ending point for changing the rolling direction 99b). The periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 rotates 360° to trace a circular trajectory (perfect circle). When the periphery 102 of the cutter wheel 93 is located at the starting point of the virtual end cutting line (ending point for changing the rolling direction 99b), the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 is in the direction of travel (movement) of the first and second splitting jigs 84a and 84b (the direction in which the virtual end cutting line extends). In Figure 29, the starting point of the virtual end cut line (the starting point 99a and ending point 99b for changing the rolling direction) is located at the point of contact of the circular trajectory (true circle) drawn by the first folding jig 84a and the second folding jig 84b, and the end cut line K2 extends in the tangential direction of the circular trajectory (true circle). In Figure 30, the starting point of the virtual end cut line (the starting point 99a and ending point 99b for changing the rolling direction) is located on the circular trajectory (true circle) drawn by the first folding jig 84a and the second folding jig 84b, and the end cut line K2 extends in the radial direction of the circular trajectory (true circle).

[0202] The glass plate processing system 10 (folding method) works by moving the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b slightly along the upper surfaces 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b in a predetermined direction parallel to the upper surfaces 12 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the rolling direction change area (drawing a circular trajectory). This causes the folding cutter wheel 93 to exhibit a caster effect, changing the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 to the direction of travel (movement) of the first folding jig 84a (folding cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends), and changing the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 to the direction of travel (movement) of the second folding jig 84b (folding cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends).

[0203] After the rolling direction changing means (rolling direction changing process) changes the rolling direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 to the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends) (after the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 93 becomes the same as the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b), the first folding jig 84a runs in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) in the first (initial) edge cutting line formation area of ​​the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the running direction of the first folding jig 84a (edge ​​cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process)). In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the first support device 76a moves in synchronization with the first folding device 75a, and with the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b supporting the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding cutter wheel 93 of the first folding jig 84a forms an edge cutting line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0204] Furthermore, the second folding jig 84b travels in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 forms an edge cut line K2 (scribe) in the first (initial) edge cut line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b along the direction of travel of the second folding jig 84b (edge ​​cut line forming means (edge ​​cut line forming process)). In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the second support device 76b moves in synchronization with the second folding device 75b, and with the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b supporting the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding cutter wheel 93 of the second folding jig 84b forms an edge cutting line K2 on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0205] Furthermore, the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b and the first and second support devices 76a, 76b travel (move) at the same speed. In the edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b travel in a straight line from the edges of the glass plates 11a, 11b toward the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 93 may form an edge cutting line K2 (scribe) on the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The folding system 10a and folding method (glass plate processing system 10) prevent elastic deformation of the edges 56b by having the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b support the lower surface 13 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and ensure that the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are held horizontally while a cutting line k2 is reliably formed on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0206] After forming the edge cut line K2 in the first (initial) edge cut line formation area of ​​the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates and the folding cutter holder 92 rises from the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lifting means (holder lifting process)). After the folding cutter holder 92 is raised by the holder lifting means (holder lifting process), the first and second X-axis actuators 86a and 86b and the first and second Y-axis actuators 88a and 88b operate to move the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b (first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b) to the first (initial) pressing area (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)).

[0207] After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b are moved to the first (initial) pressing area by the folding device moving means (folding device moving process), as shown in Figure 31, the first pressing member 95a of the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b is lowered vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b clamp the main body 56a and edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process)).

[0208] In the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), when the first pressing member 95a of the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b is lowered by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), the semi-annular first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1 and the upper surface 12 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1.

[0209] In the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), when the first and second support members 108a and 108b are raised by the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism), the annularly shaped second support surface 117b of the second support member 108b straddles the outer shape cutting line K1 and extends to the vicinity of the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the lower surface 13 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extends to the vicinity of the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1. The first support member 108a supports the lower surface 13 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, with the circularly shaped first support surface 117a of the first support member 108a supporting the lower surface 13 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface 117a supporting the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1.

[0210] After the glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process) clamps the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b between the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b, the second support member 108b is lowered vertically in the first (initial) pressing area by the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) (second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process)). When the second support member 108b is lowered, a gap (a step between the first support surface 117a and the second support surface 117b) is formed between the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b and the second support surface 117b. Furthermore, the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b by the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first supporting surface 117a of the first supporting member 108a is maintained.

[0211] After the second support member 108b is lowered by the second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process), the second pressing member 95b is lowered vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) while maintaining the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b by the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first support surface 117a of the first support member 108a. The annularly shaped second pressing surface 105b of the second pressing member 95b comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1, and the second pressing surface 105b of the second pressing member 95b presses downwards against the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends outside the outer shape cutting line K1. The second pressing surface 105b presses the edge 56b downward, causing the edge 56b to break (edge ​​breaking means (edge ​​breaking process)). In the edge breaking means (edge ​​breaking process), the main body 56a and the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b are separated. The broken (separated) edges 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b remain on the belt conveyor 76.

[0212] After the edge 56b is broken off by the edge breaking means (edge ​​breaking process) in the first (initial) pressing area, the second support member 108b is raised vertically by the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism), the first pressing member 95a is raised vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and the second pressing member 95b is raised vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism).

[0213] After the first and second pressing members 95a, 95b and the second support member 108b are raised, the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b are moved to the second (next) edge cutting line formation area of ​​the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)). The first folding jig 84a is positioned at the folding start position of the second (next) edge cutting line formation area on the widthwise outward side of the glass plates 11a, 11b, and the second folding jig 84b is positioned at the folding start position of the second (next) edge cutting line formation area on the widthwise outward side of the glass plates 11a, 11b. In addition, the first and second support devices 76a, 76b move to the rolling direction change area in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area in synchronization with the first and second folding devices 75a, 75b.

[0214] After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b move to the rolling direction change area in the second (next) edge cutting line forming area, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) operates so that the folding cutter holder 92 descends toward the upper surface 12 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lowering means (holder lowering process)), and the folding cutter wheel 93 comes into contact with the upper surface 12 of the glass plates 11a and 11b with a predetermined pressing force.

[0215] After the holder lowering means (holder lowering process) lowers (contacts) the folding cutter holder 92 to the upper surface 12 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b in the second (next) rolling direction change area, as described above, the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (folding jigs) travel (move) in a circular shape, drawing a circular trajectory, a caster effect is generated on the folding cutter wheel 93, and the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 is changed to the direction of travel (movement) of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (folding cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends) (rolling direction change means (rolling direction change process)), and the rolling (movement) direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 is changed to the direction of travel of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (folding cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends).

[0216] After changing the rolling direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 to the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 83a and 83b (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends) (after the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel 92 becomes the same as the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 83a and 83b), the first and second folding jigs 83a and 83b run in a straight line from the vicinity of the outer shape cutting line K1 of the glass plates 11a and 11b toward the edges of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the folding cutter wheel 92 forms an edge cutting line K2 in the second (next) edge cutting line formation area (predetermined area) of the edge portion 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 83a and 83b (edge ​​cutting line formation means (edge ​​cutting line formation process)).

[0217] After forming the edge cut line K2 in the second (next) edge cut line formation area of ​​the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) raises the folding cutter holder 92 from the edge of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (holder lifting means (holder lifting process)). After the folding cutter holder 92 has risen, the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b (first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b) move to the second (next) pressing area (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)).

[0218] After the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b move to the second (next) pressing area, the first pressing member 95a of the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b is lowered vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), and in the second (next) pressing area, the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b clamp the main body 56a and edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b (glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process)).

[0219] After the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b sandwich the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the second support member 108b is lowered vertically in the second (next) pressing area by the second support member lifting mechanism (fourth lifting mechanism) 109 (second support member lowering means (second support member lowering process)).

[0220] After the second support member 108b descends, the second pressing member 95b descends vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism) while maintaining the clamping of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b by the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first support surface 117a of the first support member 108a. In the second (next) pressing area, the second pressing surface 105b of the second pressing member 95b presses downward on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extend outside the outer shape cutting line K1. The downward press of the second pressing surface 105b on the edges 56b causes the edges 56b to break (edge ​​breaking means (edge ​​breaking process)). The edges 56b (periphery) of the broken (separated) glass plates 11a and 11b remain on the belt conveyor 76.

[0221] The folding system 10a and folding processing method (glass plate processing system 10) involves the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) and the first and second pressing member lifting mechanisms 96a and 96b (second and third lifting mechanisms) raising the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members, after which the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) and width direction (horizontal direction) on the side of the upper surface of the glass plates 11a and 11b (folding device moving means (folding device moving process)), and after the second support member 108b is raised by the second support member lifting mechanism 109 (fourth lifting mechanism), the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move on the side of the lower surface 13 of the glass plates 11a and 11b. In this configuration, the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b move in the front-rear direction (horizontal direction) and width direction (horizontal direction) in synchronization (support device moving means (support device moving process)), and after the first and second folding devices 75a and 75b and the first and second support devices 76a and 76b move in synchronization by the folding device moving means (folding device moving process) and the support device moving means (support device moving process), the first folding device 75a and the first support device 76a work together, and the second folding device 75b and the second support device 76b work together to perform edge cutting line forming means (edge ​​cutting line forming process), glass plate clamping means (glass plate clamping process), and edge folding means (edge ​​folding process).

[0222] By repeating the procedure described above, all edges 56 of the glass plates 11a and 11b on which the edge cutting lines K2 have been formed are broken. In Figure 27, the first to third edge cutting lines K2 are formed on the glass plates 11a and 11b by the first breaking jig 83a, and the first to third edge cutting lines K2 are formed by the second breaking jig 83b. However, there is no particular limit to the number of edge cutting lines K2, and the number of edge cutting lines K2 is determined by the size (area) and thickness of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the shape of the main body of the glass plates 11a and 11b created by the outer cutting line K1.

[0223] After the folding process is completed and the folded glass plates 11a and 11b are lifted upward by the third glass plate holder 40c, the controller sends a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 77. Upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the conveyor drive motor 77 drives the belt conveyor 76. The belt conveyor 76 moves from one side to the other in the width direction. As the belt conveyor 76 moves in the width direction, the folded edges 56b (periphery) of the glass plates 11a and 11b remaining on the belt conveyor 76 gradually move from one side to the other in the width direction, and the edges 56b fall from the belt conveyor 76 and are collected (discarded) in a dust box (not shown).

[0224] After the folding and cutting of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed, the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b after folding and cutting are transported from the folding and cutting area 21 to the grinding area 22 by the third glass plate holder 40c, and the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the grinding table 118. After the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b are placed on the grinding table 118, the controller sends a drive signal to the control unit of the vacuum mechanism of the grinding table 118 and also sends a retraction signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34. The control unit of the vacuum mechanism, having received the drive signal, drives the vacuum mechanism. The main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b are held in place by suction on the suction pad 120 (grinding table 118) as a result of the vacuum mechanism's operation.

[0225] Upon receiving a reversal signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34. The rotation of the shaft of the first servo motor 34 causes the first slide block to move in the front-to-rear direction from the front to the rear of the first guide frame 30, thereby causing the grinding device 119 to move rearward in the front-to-rear direction in the grinding area 22 together with the first travel frame 32, and the grinding device 119 is positioned outward in the width direction (grinding start position) of the first corner 18a (front side edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b. The grinding device 119 moves along the periphery (side edge, front and rear end edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b in synchronization with the cutting device 55.

[0226] After the grinding device 119 is positioned outward in the width direction of the first corner 18a of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding start position), the controller sends a stop signal (OFF signal) to the control unit of the first servo motor 34 and a drive signal (ON signal) to the control unit of the 14th servo motor 121. Upon receiving the stop signal (OFF signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 stops the first servo motor 34, and upon receiving the drive signal (ON signal), the control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121. The rotation of the shaft of the 14th servo motor 121 causes the slide block 63b to move the feed screw 60b in the width direction from the other side edge 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge 48a, thereby moving the grinding table 118 in the width direction from the other side edge 48b toward the one side edge 48a of the grinding area 22, and the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b. The first corner 18a of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b enters the slit 132 of the cover 130 of the grinding jig 122.

[0227] After the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 is positioned at the first corner 18a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the controller transmits a drive signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control units of the 15th to 17th servo motors 123 to 125 and the spindle motor 131 of the grinding device 119, transmits a retraction signal (ON signal) and an NC control signal to the control unit of the first servo motor 34, and transmits an NC control signal to the control unit of the 14th servo motor 121. The control units for the 15th to 17th servo motors 123 to 125, the control unit for the spindle motor 131, the control unit for the first servo motor 34, and the control unit for the 14th servo motor 121, which receive drive signals (ON signals) and NC control signals, drive the 15th to 17th servo motors 123 to 125, the spindle motor 131, the first servo motor 34, and the 14th servo motor 121 to perform contour control motion by NC control on the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 128 grinds the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0228] Upon receiving a reversal signal (ON signal), the control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to move the grinding device 119 backward in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22. The control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121 during grinding (cutting) to reciprocate the grinding device 119 in the width direction within the grinding area 22. The grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 moves from the first corner 18a to the second corner 18b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, grinding the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer cutout line K1) of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0229] After the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 has finished grinding the vicinity of one side edge (one side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 128 is positioned at the second corner portion 18b of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding table 118 moves in the width direction from the side of one side edge portion 48a to the side of the other side edge portion 48b of the grinding area 22, and as the grinding table 118 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 128 grinds the vicinity of the rear end edge (rear end edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0230] The control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121 to move the grinding table 118 in the width direction within the grinding area 22 during grinding (cutting), and the control unit of the 1st servo motor 34 drives the 1st servo motor 34 to reciprocate the grinding device 119 in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22 during grinding (cutting). The grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 grinds the area near the rear end edge (rear end edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer cutout line K1) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while moving from the 2nd corner portion 18b toward the 3rd corner portion 18c of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0231] After the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 has finished grinding the area near the rear edge (rear edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 128 is positioned at the third corner portion 18c of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding device 119 moves forward in the front-rear direction, and as the grinding device 119 moves forward in the front-rear direction, the grinding wheel 128 grinds the area near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0232] The control unit of the first servo motor 34 drives the first servo motor 34 during grinding (cutting) to move the grinding device 119 forward in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22, and the control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121 during grinding (cutting) to reciprocate the grinding table 118 in the width direction within the grinding area 22. The grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 grinds the area near the second side edge (second side edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer shape cutting line K1) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while moving from the third corner portion 18c to the fourth corner portion 18d of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0233] After the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 has finished grinding the area near the second side edge (second side edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the grinding wheel 128 is positioned at the fourth corner portion 18d of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding table 118 moves in the width direction from the other side edge portion 48b of the grinding area 22 toward the one side edge portion 48a, and as the grinding table 118 moves in the width direction, the grinding wheel 128 grinds the area near the front end edge (front end edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding means (grinding process)).

[0234] The control unit of the 14th servo motor 121 drives the 14th servo motor 121 to move the grinding table 118 in the width direction within the grinding area 22 during grinding (cutting), and the control unit of the 1st servo motor 34 drives the 1st servo motor 34 to reciprocate the grinding device 118 in the front-rear direction within the grinding area 22 during grinding (cutting). The grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 118 grinds the area near the front edge (front edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b along the edge (outer shape cutting line K1) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, while moving from the 4th corner portion 18d toward the 1st corner portion 18a of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b. When the grinding wheel 128 of the grinding device 119 finishes grinding the area near the front edge (front edge portion) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the grinding device 119 moves outward in the width direction of the first corner portion 18a (front edge) of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b (grinding start position) and waits.

[0235] In the grinding area 22, for example, the first positioning means (first positioning step) first sets the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line)) of the outermost edge (one of the side edges 14 in the illustrated glass plate 11a) that extends in the front-rear direction on one of the width directions of the large-sized (large-area) glass plate 11a with a large upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 that will be processed first, and the first positioning means (first positioning step) sets the position (first positioning reference L1 (virtual first positioning reference line) of the small-sized (small-area) glass plate 11b with a small upper surface 12 and lower surface 13 that will be processed later in the width direction On one side, the outermost edge of one side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction (in the illustrated glass plate 11b, one side edge 14) is positioned (aligned), and the glass plates 11a and 11b, which have different areas for the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, are positioned. The second positioning means (second positioning step) also positions the front-rear center O1 of the side edge 14 extending in the front-rear direction on one side of the width direction of the larger glass plate 11a to be processed first (center line L2 that divides the front-rear dimension of the glass plate 11a in half and extends in the width direction). When grinding a glass plate 11b with a different area to be processed later, after positioning the glass plates 11a and 11b with different areas of the upper surface 12 and lower surface 13, the grinding device reaches the side edge 14 of the larger glass plate 11a. The distance traveled by the grinding device 119 (the distance traveled by the grinding table 118 in the width direction) becomes equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device 119 until it reaches the side edge 14 of the small glass plate 11b (the distance traveled by the grinding table 118 in the width direction). At the same time, the distance traveled by the grinding device 119 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the large glass plate 11a to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11a becomes equal to the distance traveled by the grinding device 119 from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to return outward in the width direction of that glass plate 11b.

[0236] The distance the grinding device 119 travels to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b is shortened, and the distance the grinding device 119 travels back from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the glass in the width direction is also shortened. This shortens the time (non-processing time) for the grinding device 119 to reach the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b, and also shortens the time for the grinding device 119 to return from the outermost edge (side edge 14) of the small glass plate 11b to the glass in the width direction.

[0237] After the grinding of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b is completed, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b after grinding is transported from the grinding area 22 to the discharge area 23 by the fourth glass plate holder 40d. In the discharge area 23, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after the cutting, folding, and grinding processes have been completed, is moved forward from the rear end to the front end of the discharge area 23 by the discharge conveyor 135, and the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after each processing is completed, is discharged from the discharge area 23.

[0238] Furthermore, when the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after each processing is completed, is located on the unloading conveyor 135 in the unloading area 23, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after grinding is completed, is located on the grinding table 118 in the grinding area 22, the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, after folding is completed, is located on the folding table 74 in the folding area 21, the glass plates 11a and 11b, after cutting is completed, is located on the cutting table 59 in the cutting area 20, and the unprocessed glass plates 11a and 11b, which have been positioned by the first positioning means (first positioning step) and the second positioning means (second positioning step), are located on the loading conveyor 43 in the loading area 19. In this manner, the folding and splitting system 10a and the folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) transport multiple glass plates sequentially from the loading area 19 to the unloading area 23, and the processing of multiple glass plates 11a and 11b is carried out continuously.

[0239] The folding and cutting system 10a and folding and cutting method (glass plate processing system 10) involves a folding and cutting cutter wheel 93 that is lowered vertically by a holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism) forming an edge cut line K2 on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b. After the edge cut line K2 is formed on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b, the folding and cutting cutter wheel 93 is raised vertically by the holder lifting mechanism 94 (first lifting mechanism), and the first pressing member 95a is lowered vertically by the first pressing member lifting mechanism 96a (second lifting mechanism), crossing the outer shape cutting line K1 and the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1. The first pressing member 95a, which contacts the upper surface 12 of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending in the vicinity and the upper surface 12 of the main body 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending in the vicinity of the inner edge cutting line K1, has its semi-annular first pressing surface 105a and the first and second support surfaces 117a and 117b of the first and second support members 108a and 108b sandwich the main body 56a and edge 56b, and after the first pressing member 105a and the first and second support members 108a and 108b have sandwiched the main body 56a and edge 56b, the second support member 1 is lifted by the second support member 109 (fourth lifting mechanism) As 08b descends vertically, maintaining the clamping of the main body 56a by the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first support surface 117a of the first support member 108a, the second pressing member 95b descends vertically by the second pressing member lifting mechanism 96b (third lifting mechanism), and the second pressing surface 105b of the second pressing member 95b presses downwards against the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b extending outside the outer cutout line K1, causing the edges 56b to break. The first support surface 117a, which is formed into a perfect circle and has a predetermined area, sandwiches the main body portion 56a of 1b and supports the lower surface 13 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the inside of the outer cutout line K1, and the vicinity of the outer edge of the first support surface 117a supports the lower surface 13 of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b that extends near the outside of the outer cutout line K1, and the main body portion 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b is firmly fixed by the first pressing member 95a and the first support member 108a, so that the second pressing surface 105b of the second pressing member 95b supports the glass plate 11a that extends outside the outer cutout line K1,Even if the edge 56b of 11b is pressed downward and the pressing force of the second pressing member 95b acts on the edge 56b, elastic deformation of the main body 56a and edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extending near the outer cut line K1 can be prevented. The main body 56a and edge 56b will not bend upward, and the pressing force of the second pressing member 95b will cause the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b to break at the outer cut line K1 and the edge cut line K2, allowing the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b to break smoothly and reliably.

[0240] In the folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10), the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a is formed in a semi-circular shape surrounding the second pressing member 95b. Therefore, when the second pressing member 95b is positioned at the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1, a portion of the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a is always near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1. The first pressing member 95a is positioned on the upper surface 12 of the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b which extend in that direction, and the semi-annular first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first support member 108a can securely clamp the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b, and the first pressing surface 105a of the first pressing member 95a and the first support member 108a can firmly fix the main body portion 56a of the glass plates 11a and 11b.

[0241] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) support the lower surface 13 of the edge portions 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend near the outside of the outer shape cutting line K1 and the lower surface 13 of the main body portions 56a of the glass plates 11a, 11b that extend near the inside of the outer shape cutting line K1, with the annularly formed second support surface 117b of the second support member 108b extending around the first support member 108a straddling the outer shape cutting line K1. When pressed in the direction of the glass plate, the second support surface 117b of the second support member 108b prevents downward curving of the edge portion 56b of the glass plate 11a, 11b that extends near the outside of the outer shape cut line K1 and the main body portion 56a of the glass plate 11a, 11b that extends near the inside of the outer shape cut line K1. This prevents accidental cracking or damage of the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b when the first pressing member 95a and the first and second support members 108a, 108b sandwich the main body portion 56a and edge portion 56b of the glass plate 11a, 11b.

[0242] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) is such that the cutter wheel axis O3 of the folding and splitting cutter wheel 93 is radially eccentric outward with respect to the cutter holder central axis O2 of the folding and splitting cutter holder 92 (holder body 97), and the folding and splitting cutter wheel 93 has a caster effect. Therefore, the first and second folding and splitting jigs 84a and 84b (folding and splitting jigs) simply travel (move) in a circular motion from near the starting point of the edge cutting line K2 and trace a circular trajectory (when the folding and splitting jigs reach the edge By simply moving (traveling) a short distance in a predetermined direction from near the starting point of the cutting line K2, the splitting cutter wheel 93 rotates around the central axis O2 of the cutter holder, and the direction of rotation of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93 is oriented in the direction of travel (movement) of the first and second splitting jigs 84a, 84b (splitting cutter holder 92) (the direction in which the virtual end cutting line extends), making it possible to quickly and easily change the direction of rotation of the periphery 102 of the splitting cutter wheel 93.

[0243] The folding system 10a and folding processing method (glass plate processing system 10) work by having the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (folding jigs) trace a circular trajectory parallel to the upper surface 12 of the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b from near the starting point of the edge cutting line K2 (by traveling slightly in a predetermined direction from near the starting point of the edge cutting line K2 on the upper surface 12), causing the folding cutter wheel 93 that contacts the upper surface 12 of the edge 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b to rotate around the cutter holder central axis O2 (around the axis), and the rolling direction of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 is the same as that of the first and second folding jigs 8 Since the direction of travel (movement) of 3a, 83b (folding cutter holder 92) is the same, the direction of rotation of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 can be made to coincide with the direction of travel of the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b (folding jigs) (the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line extends at the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b). In the initial movement of the series of movements for forming the edge cutting line K2 at the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b, the direction of rotation of the periphery 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 and the direction of travel of the first and second folding jigs 84a, 84b (folding jigs) can be made to coincide.

[0244] The folding system 10a and folding method (glass plate processing system 10) can create edge cut lines K2 in each edge cut line formation area on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b to be processed, while aligning the rolling direction of the peripheral edge 102 of the folding cutter wheel 93 with the running direction of the first and second folding jigs 84a and 84b (folding jigs) (the direction in which the virtual edge cut lines on the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b extend). This allows for the efficient formation of multiple edge cut lines K2 in the edge cut line formation areas of the edges 56b of the glass plates 11a and 11b in a short time.

[0245] The folding and splitting system 10a and folding and splitting method (glass plate processing system 10) rotates the folding and splitting cutter wheel 93 itself around the central axis O2 of the cutter holder O2 of the folding and splitting cutter holder 92 (around the axis) (around the rotation center). The rotation control axis for the rotation of the folding and splitting cutter wheel 93 itself is the central axis O2 of the cutter holder O2 of the folding and splitting cutter holder 92, and by aligning the angle of the rotation control axis with the rolling direction of the folding and splitting cutter wheel 93 (the direction of movement of the folding and splitting jigs 84a and 84b), errors due to eccentricity can be minimized.

[0246] The glass plate processing system 10a and glass plate processing method (glass plate processing system 10) do not require the installation of a θ-axis servo motor or a transmission member (pulley, belt, etc.) that transmits its rotational force to the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, thus enabling miniaturization, energy saving, and cost reduction of the glass plate processing system 10. Furthermore, in the glass plate processing, it is not necessary to rotate the θ-axis servo motor to make the rolling direction of the periphery 102 of the glass plate processing wheel 93 the same as the direction in which the virtual edge cutting line of the edge portion 56b of the glass plates 11a, 11b extends (the running direction of the first and second glass plate processing jigs 84a, 84b (glass plate processing jigs)). Since it is not necessary to change the rolling direction of the periphery 102 of the glass plate processing wheel 93 using the θ-axis servo motor each time an edge cutting line K2 is formed, the glass plate processing system 10 can shorten the time and improve the efficiency of the glass plate processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0247] 10 Glass Plate Processing System 10a Folding and Splitting System 11a Large glass plate 11b Small glass plate 12 Top side 13 Bottom side 14 First side edge ( One side edge ) 15 Second side edge ( The other side edge ) 16 Front edge 17 Rear edge 18a-18d First to fourth corners 19. Delivery Area 20 Cutting area 21 Folding and splitting area 22 Grinding Area 23. Removal Area 24 Conveying mechanism 25 system units 26a, 26b First and second pillars 27 Fixed frame 28 First Movement Unit (first means of transport) 29. Second Movement Unit (second means of movement) 30. First Guide Frame 31. First guide rail 32 First running frame 33. First guide shoe 34. First servo motor 35. Second Guide Frame 36. Second guide rail 37. Second running frame 38 Guide shoe 39. Second servo motor 40a~40d Glass plate holders 1st to 4th 41 Pad mounting plate 42 suction pads 43. Incoming conveyor 44 Stopper 45 Rollers 45a Roller 46 Roller lifting mechanism 47 Moving mechanism 48a One side edge 48b The other side edge 49 axes 50 rods 51 Third servo motor 52 Mobile Arm 53 Contact Member 54 Cutting table 55 Cutting device 56a Main body 56b Edge (periphery) 57a, 57b Baselane 58a 1st movement mechanism 58b Second moving mechanism 59a, 59b Travel guide rails 60a, 60b Feed screws 61 Fourth servo motor 62a, 62b Guide shoes 63a, 63b Slide blocks (housing nuts) 64 Cutting jig 65 Air cylinder 66 Fifth servo motor 67 Cutting cutter wheel 68 Cutting cutter holder 69 Cutter lifting shaft 70 Cutter lifting guide 71 Support shaft 72 Bracket 73 Timing belt 74 Flanging table 75 Flanging device 75a First flanging device 75b Second flanging device 76 Support device 76a First support device 76b Second support device 77 Belt conveyor 78 Conveyor drive motor 79 Belt 80 Pulley 81 Carrier roller 82 Conveyor frame 83 Suspended frame 84a First flanging jig 84b Second flanging jig 85 Sixth servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 86a First X-axis actuator 86b Second X-axis actuator 87 Seventh servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 88a First Y-axis actuator 88b Second Y-axis actuator 89a First X-axis actuator frame 89b X-axis second actuator frame 89c Y-axis first actuator frame 89d Y-axis second actuator frame 90 Eighth servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 91 Ninth servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 92 Folding cutter holder 93 Folding cutter wheel 94 Holder lifting mechanism (first lifting mechanism) 95a First pressing member 95b Second pressing member 96a First pressing member lifting mechanism (second lifting mechanism) 96b Second pressing member lifting mechanism (third lifting mechanism) 97 Holder body 98 Holder head 99a Rolling direction change starting point 99b Rolling direction change ending point 100 Bearing 101 Rolling shaft 102 Periphery 103 Connecting part 104 Bracket 105a First pressing surface 105b Second pressing surface 106 Through hole 107 Guide frame 108a First supporting member 108b Second supporting member 109 Second supporting member lifting mechanism (fourth lifting mechanism) 110 Tenth servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 111a X-axis third actuator 111b X-axis fourth actuator 112 Eleventh servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) 113a Y-axis third actuator 113b Y-axis fourth actuator 114a X-axis third actuator frame 114b X-axis fourth actuator frame 114c Y-axis third actuator frame 114d Y-axis 4th actuator frame 115. 12th servo motor (X-axis servo motor) 116. 13th Servo Motor (Y-axis Servo Motor) 117a 1st support surface 117b Second support surface 118 Grinding Table 119 Grinding equipment 120 suction pads 121 14th Servo Motor 122 Grinding jigs 123 15th Servo Motor 124 16th Servo Motor 125 17th Servo Motor 126 Grinding wheel lifting screw 127 Grinding wheel cutting screw 128 Grinding Wheel 129 Grinding Holder 130 Cover 131 Spindle motor 132 slits 133 Motor Housing 134 bracket 135 Discharge conveyor 140 Folding device 141 Folding and splitting jig 142 First lifting mechanism (air cylinder) 143 Pressure roller 144 Second lifting mechanism (air cylinder) 145 Folding Cutter Wheel 146 Folding cutter holder 147 θ-axis servo motor K1 External cutting line (cutting line) K2 edge cutting line L1 Positioning reference line 1 (virtual positioning reference line 1) L2 Positioning second reference (virtual positioning second reference line) (center line) O1 Anterior-posterior center of the lateral edge O2 Cutter holder central axis O3 Cutter Wheel Axle S Separation dimension (eccentric dimension)

Claims

1. In a folding and splitting system for breaking the edges of a glass plate to be processed, The aforementioned folding system comprises a folding device located on the upper side of the glass plate for folding the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate. The folding device comprises a folding cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member that presses the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line downward, a second pressing member that presses the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line downward, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the folding cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first pressing member in the vertical direction, and a third lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and the support device comprises a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second support member in the vertical direction. The glass cutting system includes a cutter wheel lifting means which raises the glass cutting cutter wheel vertically after the glass cutting cutter wheel has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism to form a cut line on the edge of the glass plate, and a glass plate clamping means which lowers the first pressing member vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate, and the glass plate clamping means which presses the first pressing A folding system characterized by comprising: a second support member lowering means, wherein the second support member is lowered vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism after the pressing member and the first and second support members have clamped the main body and the edge; and an edge folding means, wherein the second pressing member is lowered vertically by the third lifting mechanism while the clamping of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member is maintained, and the edge is folded downward by the third lifting mechanism to press the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line downward, thereby folding the edge.

2. The folding system according to claim 1, wherein the second pressing member is located near the outside of the folding cutter wheel and extends in the direction circumferentially around the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing member is located near the outside of the second pressing member and extends in the direction circumferentially around the second pressing member, and in the glass plate clamping means, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism, the first pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and in the edge folding means, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the second pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

3. The first pressing member has a first pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing member has a second pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing surface of the second pressing member is formed into an annular shape surrounding the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing surface of the first pressing member is formed into a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member, and in the glass plate clamping means, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism... The folding system according to claim 2, wherein the semi-annular first pressing surface abuts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and in the edge folding means, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the annular second pressing surface abuts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

4. The folding system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the direction circumferential to the first support member, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism.

5. The folding system according to claim 4, wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism.

6. The folding and cutting system according to claim 5, wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed in a circular shape, and the glass plate clamping means supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line with the first support surface, and supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line with the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the first support surface.

7. The folding system includes, after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, a folding device moving means for the folding device to move horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate, and a support device moving means for the support device to move horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, wherein after the folding device and the support device are moved in synchronization by the folding device moving means and the support device moving means, the folding device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping means and the edge folding means, as described in claim 1.

8. The folding system according to claim 7, wherein the folding system includes a cutting line forming means in which the folding cutter wheel forms a cutting line on the edge of the glass plate, with the first and second support members supporting the lower surface of the edge extending outside the outer shape cutting line of the glass plate while the folding device and the support device move in synchronous motion.

9. The folding device includes a folding cutter holder positioned above the folding cutter wheel and holding the folding cutter wheel, wherein the cutter wheel axis extending vertically of the folding cutter wheel is radially outward eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis extending vertically of the folding cutter holder, the folding cutter wheel is rotatable 360° around the cutter wheel axis relative to the folding cutter holder, and the folding system includes means for changing the rolling direction to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel the same as the rolling direction of the folding device, by moving the folding device slightly along the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate in a predetermined direction parallel to the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate, and rotating the folding cutter wheel in contact with the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate around the cutter wheel axis.

10. The folding system according to claim 9, wherein the edge cutting line forming means moves the folding device slightly in a predetermined direction by the rolling direction changing means to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel the same as the direction of travel of the folding device, and then the folding device moves in the predetermined direction so that the folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of the glass plate along the direction of travel of the folding device.

11. In a method for breaking the edges of a glass plate to be processed, The aforementioned folding and splitting method utilizes a folding and splitting device located on the upper side of the glass plate for folding the edge of the glass plate, and a support device located on the lower side of the glass plate for supporting the glass plate. The folding device comprises a folding cutter wheel that forms an edge cut line outside the outer shape cut line formed on the edge of the glass plate, a first pressing member that presses the main body of the glass plate extending inside the outer shape cut line downward, a second pressing member that presses the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cut line downward, a first lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the folding cutter wheel in the vertical direction, a second lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the first pressing member in the vertical direction, and a third lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second pressing member in the vertical direction, and the support device comprises a first support member that supports the main body of the glass plate, a second support member that supports the edge of the glass plate, and a fourth lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the second support member in the vertical direction. The glass cutting method includes a cutter wheel raising step in which the glass cutting cutter wheel, which has been lowered vertically by the first lifting mechanism, forms a cut line on the edge of the glass plate, and then the glass cutting cutter wheel is raised vertically by the first lifting mechanism; a glass plate clamping step in which the first pressing member is lowered vertically by the second lifting mechanism so that the first pressing member and the first and second support members clamp the main body and edge of the glass plate; and the first pressing member being pressed by the glass plate clamping step. A folding and cutting method characterized by comprising: a second support member descent step in which the second support member descends vertically by the fourth lifting mechanism after the pressing member and the first and second support members have sandwiched the main body and the edge; and an edge folding and cutting step in which, while maintaining the sandwiching of the main body by the first pressing member and the first support member, the second pressing member descends vertically by the third lifting and cutting mechanism to press downward the edge of the glass plate extending outside the outer shape cutting line and break the edge.

12. The folding method according to claim 11, wherein the second pressing member is located near the outside of the folding cutter wheel and extends in the direction circumferentially around the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing member is located near the outside of the second pressing member and extends in the direction circumferentially around the second pressing member, and in the glass plate clamping means, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism, the first pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and in the edge folding step, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the second pressing member contacts the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

13. The first pressing member has a first pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing member has a second pressing surface of a predetermined area that contacts the upper surface of the glass plate, the second pressing surface of the second pressing member is formed into an annular shape surrounding the folding cutter wheel, the first pressing surface of the first pressing member is formed into a semi-annular shape surrounding the second pressing member, and in the glass plate clamping process, when the first pressing member is lowered by the second lifting mechanism... The folding method according to claim 12, wherein the semi-annular first pressing surface abuts against the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the upper surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and in the edge folding step, when the second pressing member is lowered by the third lifting mechanism, the annular second pressing surface abuts against the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

14. The folding and cutting method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the second support member is located near the outside of the first support member and extends in the direction circumferential to the first support member, and in the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the second support member supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate that straddles the outer shape cutting line and extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

15. The folding and cutting method according to claim 14, wherein the second support member has a second support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the second support surface of the second support member is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the first support member, and in the glass plate clamping step, when the second support member is raised by the fourth lifting mechanism, the annularly formed second support surface supports the lower surface of the edge of the glass plate that extends near the outside of the outer shape cutting line and the lower surface of the main body of the glass plate that extends near the inside of the outer shape cutting line.

16. The folding and cutting method according to claim 15, wherein the first support member has a first support surface of a predetermined area that supports the lower surface of the glass plate, the first support surface of the first support member is formed into a circular shape, and in the glass plate clamping step, the first support surface formed into a circular shape supports the lower surface of the main body portion of the glass plate extending near the inside of the outer shape cutting line, and the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the first support surface supports the lower surface of the edge portion of the glass plate extending near the outside of the outer shape cutting line.

17. The folding and cutting method according to claim 11, wherein after the folding cutter wheel and the first and second pressing members are raised by the first to third lifting mechanisms, the folding device moves horizontally on the upper surface side of the glass plate, and the support device moves horizontally in synchronization with the folding device on the lower surface side of the glass plate, wherein after the folding device and the support device move in synchronization by the folding device movement step and the support device movement step, the folding device and the support device work together to perform the glass plate clamping step and the edge folding step.

18. The folding and cutting method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of forming an edge cut line on the edge of the glass plate, while the folding and cutting device and the support device move in synchronous motion, and the first and second support members support the lower surface of the edge portion extending outside the outer shape cut line of the glass plate.

19. The folding device includes a folding cutter holder positioned above the folding cutter wheel and holding the folding cutter wheel, the cutter wheel axis extending vertically of the folding cutter wheel is radially outward eccentric with respect to the cutter holder central axis extending vertically of the folding cutter holder, the folding cutter wheel is rotatable 360° around the cutter wheel axis relative to the folding cutter holder, and the folding processing method according to claim 11 includes a step of changing the rolling direction to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel the same as the rolling direction of the folding device, by moving the folding device slightly along the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate in a predetermined direction parallel to the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate, and rotating the folding cutter wheel in contact with the upper surface of the edge of the glass plate around the cutter wheel axis.

20. The folding method according to claim 19, wherein in the edge cutting line forming step, the folding device is moved slightly in a predetermined direction by the rolling direction changing step to make the rolling direction of the folding cutter wheel the same as the direction of travel of the folding device, and then the folding device moves in the predetermined direction so that the folding cutter wheel forms an edge cutting line on the edge of the glass plate along the direction of travel of the folding device.

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